Mel Carnahan American Democratic politician Date of Birth: 11.02.1934 Country: USA

1. Mel Carnahan: A Political Legacy
2. Early Life and Education
3. Political Career
4. Senate Election and Death
5. Personal Life

Mel Carnahan: A Political Legacy

Mel Carnahan, a prominent American Democratic politician, served as the 51st Governor of Missouri from 1993 to 2000.

Early Life and Education

Born in Birch Tree, Missouri, Carnahan grew up on a small farm near Ellsinore with his brother, Robert "Bob" Carnahan. His father, Albert Carnahan, was the principal of Ellsinore High School and later elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1944. Carnahan moved to Washington D.C. with his family, graduating from high school in 1950. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in 1954. He subsequently served as a special agent in the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. In 1959, Carnahan obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri.

Political Career

Carnahan's political career began in the Missouri House of Representatives, where he served from 1963 to 1967. In 1980, he was elected Missouri State Treasurer, serving until 1985. He unsuccessfully ran for Missouri Governor in 1984, losing in the Democratic primary to then-Lieutenant Governor Kenneth Rothman. In 1988, Carnahan was elected Lieutenant Governor of Missouri.

He ran for Governor in 1992, defeating St. Louis Mayor Vincent Schoemehl in the Democratic primary and Republican Attorney General William Webster in the general election on November 3, 1992. Carnahan was re-elected to a second term on November 5, 1996, defeating State Auditor Margaret Kelly.

Senate Election and Death

Carnahan tragically died in a plane crash during his campaign for the U.S. Senate. Under Missouri law, Carnahan's name remained on the ballot, and he posthumously won the election. His wife, Jean Carnahan, was appointed by the new Governor to serve as Missouri's U.S. Senator until the 2002 election.

Personal Life

Mel Carnahan married Jean Carpenter on June 12, 1954, in Washington, D.C. They had four children: Russ Carnahan, a U.S. Representative; Tom Carnahan, founder of the wind energy company Wind Capital Group; Robin Carnahan, elected Missouri Secretary of State in 2004; and Roger "Randy" Carnahan, who was the pilot of the plane that crashed with his father.