Ken Rothman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ken Rothman
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| 41st Lieutenant Governor of Missouri | |
| In office January 12, 1981 – January 14, 1985 |
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| Governor | Kit Bond |
| Preceded by | William C. Phelps |
| Succeeded by | Harriett Woods |
| 65th Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives | |
| In office January 5, 1977 – January 7, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Richard J. Rabbitt |
| Succeeded by | Bob F. Griffin |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 77th district | |
| In office January 3, 1973 – January 7, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Dorothy E. Meagher |
| Succeeded by | Sheila Lumpe |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 36th district | |
| In office January 4, 1967 – January 3, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | None (new district) |
| Succeeded by | Leo McKamey |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from St. Louis district 8 | |
| In office January 9, 1963 – January 4, 1967 |
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| Preceded by | Alfred A. Speer |
| Succeeded by | None (district eliminated) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Kenneth Joel Rothman
October 11, 1935 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | April 26, 2019 (aged 83) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Geraldine Jaffe (divorced) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis |
Kenneth Joel Rothman (born October 11, 1935 – died April 26, 2019) was an American lawyer and politician from Missouri. He is best known for serving as the 41st Lieutenant Governor of Missouri from 1981 to 1985.
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Early Life and Education
Kenneth Rothman was born and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He went to public schools in the area. After high school, he attended Washington University in St. Louis.
At the university, he earned a degree in history and political science. He also went on to get his law degree from Washington University.
Military Service and Law Career
Rothman served in the Missouri Air National Guard from 1953 to 1962. He was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. This was a time when there was tension between the United States and the Soviet Union over the city of Berlin.
Before starting his own law practice, Rothman worked as a prosecutor for St. Louis County. A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government to bring legal cases against people accused of crimes.
Political Career
Kenneth Rothman's journey in politics began in 1962. He was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. This is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state of Missouri. He represented the Clayton area.
He was re-elected to this position eight times, showing that people trusted him. In 1973, his fellow lawmakers chose him as the Majority Leader. This means he was the main leader for his political party in the House.
Later, in 1976, he became the Speaker of the House. The Speaker is the leader of the entire House of Representatives.
Lieutenant Governor
In 1980, Rothman was elected Lieutenant Governor of Missouri. The Lieutenant Governor is the second-highest elected official in a state. They often step in if the Governor cannot do their job. Rothman served in this role from 1981 to 1985.
In 1984, he ran for Governor of Missouri. He was the candidate for the Democratic Party. However, he was defeated by Republican John Ashcroft.
Later Career and Legacy
After his time as Lieutenant Governor, Rothman continued his work as a lawyer. He worked with the law firm of Capes, Sokol, Goodman and Sarachan PC starting in 2001.
Kenneth Rothman made history in Missouri. He was the first Jew to be elected to a statewide office in Missouri's history. This was an important moment for diversity in state politics.
His ex-wife, Geri Rothman-Serot, was also involved in politics. Their son, Daniel Rothman, became an attorney.
Death
Kenneth Rothman passed away on April 26, 2019, in St. Louis. He was 83 years old.
