Jean Carnahan

Jean Carnahan (born December 20, 1933) was a member of the United States Senate from 2001 to 2002. A Democrat, she ascended to the Senate under unusual conditions.

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Jean Carnahan's husband Mel, then the governor of Missouri, had been running against the then-incumbent Senator from Missouri, John Ashcroft. Several weeks before election day, Mel Carnahan was killed in a plane crash (along with his son Randy Carnahan and Chris Sifford, a campaign advisor), but his name could not be removed from the ballot due to Missouri election law. Acting Governor Roger B. Wilson announced that he would appoint Jean Carnahan if Mel Carnahan won the election, and Jean Carnahan agreed. Under Missouri law, Jean Carnahan would only serve until a special election could be held in 2002. Mel Carnahan won the election, and Jean Carnahan was appointed to the Senate in 2001.

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In 2002, Carnahan tried to win the seat in her own right, but failed to do so; she was defeated in a close race by Republican James Talent.

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The 2004 elections proved better for the Carnahan family, when Senator Carnahan's son, Russ, was elected to Congress, and her daughter, Robin, was elected Missouri's Secretary of State.

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Mrs. Carnahan had never held public office prior to her time in the Senate.

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December 20: December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 11 days remaining....

1933: 1933 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar)....

2001: :This article is about the year 2001. For information on the movie, see '. For the Dr. Dre album, see 2001....

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