Mel Carnahan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mel Carnahan
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 51st Governor of Missouri | |
| In office January 11, 1993 – October 16, 2000 |
|
| Lieutenant | Roger B. Wilson |
| Preceded by | John Ashcroft |
| Succeeded by | Roger B. Wilson |
| 43rd Lieutenant Governor of Missouri | |
| In office January 9, 1989 – January 11, 1993 |
|
| Governor | John Ashcroft |
| Preceded by | Harriett Woods |
| Succeeded by | Roger B. Wilson |
| 40th State Treasurer of Missouri | |
| In office January 12, 1981 – January 14, 1985 |
|
| Governor | Kit Bond |
| Preceded by | Jim Spainhower |
| Succeeded by | Wendell Bailey |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Melvin Eugene Carnahan
February 11, 1934 Birch Tree, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 2000 (aged 66) near Hillsboro, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, including Russ and Robin |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | Carnahan family |
| Education | George Washington University (BA) University of Missouri (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Rank |  First Lieutenant |
| Unit | Air Force Office of Special Investigations |
Melvin Eugene Carnahan (February 11, 1934 – October 16, 2000) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as the 51st Governor of Missouri from 1993 until his death in a plane crash in 2000. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
After his death, he was still elected to the U.S. Senate. His wife, Jean, then took his place for two years.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mel Carnahan was born in Birch Tree, Missouri, in 1934. He grew up on a small farm near Ellsinore, Missouri. His father, A. S. J. Carnahan, was a school superintendent who later became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1945, Mel moved with his family to Washington, D.C.. He graduated from Anacostia High School in 1952. He earned a degree in business from George Washington University in 1954. That same year, he married Jean Anne Carpenter.
During the Korean War, he joined the United States Air Force. He worked as a special agent and became a First Lieutenant. In 1956, he and Jean moved back to Missouri. He earned a law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1959.
Political Career
Mel Carnahan's career in politics began in 1960.
Early Roles
In 1960, he was elected as a municipal judge in Rolla, Missouri. Two years later, he became a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. He served there until 1966. In his second term, he became the majority floor leader.
After losing an election for the state senate in 1966, he worked as a lawyer.
State Treasurer
In 1980, Carnahan was elected Missouri State Treasurer. He managed the state's money from 1981 to 1985. In 1984, he ran for Governor of Missouri but did not win the Democratic nomination.
Governor of Missouri
In 1988, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Missouri. In 1992, he ran for governor and won the Democratic nomination. He then easily defeated his Republican opponent in the general election.
Mel Carnahan became Governor of Missouri on November 3, 1992. He was reelected for a second term on November 5, 1996.
2000 Senate Election and Death
In 2000, Governor Carnahan ran for the United States Senate against Republican Senator John Ashcroft. It was a very close and intense campaign.
On October 16, 2000, just weeks before the election, the small plane he was flying in crashed. His son Randy, who was piloting the plane, and a campaign advisor were also on board. All three died in the crash near Goldman, Missouri.
Because of Missouri election laws, Mel Carnahan's name could not be removed from the ballot. His campaign decided that his widow, Jean Carnahan, would take his place if he won. The Lieutenant Governor, Roger B. Wilson, promised to appoint her to the Senate seat.
Carnahan's campaign continued with the slogan "I'm Still with Mel." He won the election by a small margin. Jean Carnahan was then appointed to the Senate. She served until November 2002, when she lost a special election.
Awards and Recognitions
In 2001, an armory and reserve center in Rolla, Missouri, was renamed The Mel Carnahan Armory and Reserve Center in his honor.
A high school, Carnahan High School of the Future, was named after him in 2003.
Personal Life
Mel Carnahan and his family were active members of the First Baptist Church of Rolla. He was an ordained deacon there.
He married Jean Carpenter in Washington, D.C., on June 12, 1954. They had four children, all of whom became lawyers. His children include:
- Russ Carnahan, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Tom Carnahan, who founded a company that builds wind farms.
- Robin Carnahan, who served as Missouri Secretary of State.
- Roger "Randy" Carnahan, who died in the same plane crash as his father.
See also
In Spanish: Mel Carnahan para niños
