Remembering Governor Mel Carnahan

Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan served as the state's governor from 1993-2000 until his death. Governor Carnahan, his eldest son, Randy, and longtime aide, Chris Sifford, died in a plane crash on October 16, 2000, in the final days of a heated and close U.S. senate race against the incumbent Sen. John Ashcroft. Governor Carnahan was elected posthumously to the senate seat and his wife, Jean Carnahan, was appointed to fill the seat in the difficult days following the plane crash. Sen. Jean Carnahan served Missourians as the first female U.S. senator from Missouri. Known as a "straight arrow" Gov. Mel Carnahan ran an honest, hard-working and effective administration that served all Missourians. Among the hallmarks of his time as Missouri's governor was the 1995 Outstanding Schools Act that provided much needed funds towards public education. Governor Mel Carnahan, Randy Carnahan, and Chris Sifford will always be remembered for their public service and their extraordinary lives.