Mel Carnahan

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Mel Carnahan

Melvin Eugene "Mel" Carnahan (born February 11, 1934 in Birch Tree , Missouri , † October 16, 2000 near Hillsboro , Missouri) was an American Democratic Party politician . From 1993 to 2000 he was governor of the state of Missouri. He was the victim of a plane crash while campaigning for a seat in the United States Senate .

Life

Mel Carnahan was the son of ASJ Carnahan , who served in the US House of Representatives for Missouri for eight terms . He grew up in Rolla and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from George Washington University in 1954 . He then joined the Air Force , where he served during the Korean War. He then attended the University of Missouri at Columbia . After graduating there, he was elected city judge in Rolla in 1960. Two years later he became a member of the Missouri House of Representatives ; after his first re-election, he took over the role of majority leader of the Democrats. He also held numerous honorary positions, including President of the Rolla Municipal School Board and Chairman of the local Red Cross .

In 1980, Carnahan was elected State Treasurer of Missouri; he was elected lieutenant governor of his state in 1988. Four years later, he won the election of governor of Missouri against Republican William L. Webster. He held this office until his death in a plane crash on October 16, 2000. His son Roger was also killed in the crash; he was the pilot of the accident machine. Since it was no longer possible to change the ballot paper at this point, Carnahan remained on it as the Democratic candidate for the Senate election and actually received more votes than the Republican incumbent John Ashcroft . As a result, his wife Jean was appointed as his successor. However, she lost the following election for the remaining term of office to Jim Talent .

Two of Mel Carnahan's children were also politically active. His son Russ was for many years a deputy in Congress , daughter Robin served as Secretary of State of Missouri.

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personal data
SURNAME Carnahan, Mel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Carnahan, Melvin Eugene
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician (Democratic Party)
DATE OF BIRTH February 11, 1934
PLACE OF BIRTH Birch Tree , Missouri
DATE OF DEATH October 16, 2000
Place of death near Hillsboro , Missouri