Widow of Missouri Governor Would Accept His Place

Senator John Ashcroft returned to the campaign trail one day after Jean Carnahan’s Oct. 30 announcement that she would accept an appointment to the U. S. Senate if her late husband wins next Tuesday’s election.

Carnahan, a Democrat, is still on the ballot against Republican Senator John Ashcroft in one of the nation’s closest Senate races. The nation was shocked when Carnahan, his son, and a campaign aide were killed in a plane crash Oct. 16. Acting Missouri Governor Roger Wilson said he will appoint Jean Carnahan to the seat if her late husband wins.

Carnahan is leading Ashcroft by seven points, according to a recent Zogby poll with a four point margin of error. Two weeks ago, a poll showed Ashcroft with a 10-point lead.

Jean Carnahan would join a long line of women who have assumed their late husbands’ congressional seats. Currently there are three widows of former members serving in the House: Mary Bono, R-Calif., Lois Capps, D-Calif., and Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo.

If Carnahan does win, Republicans have questioned whether the vote would be constitutional. They point out that after death one is no longer an “inhabitant” of the state, as is required by the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, some Republicans suggest it was improper to promise the seat to someone not on the ballot.

Meanwhile, both camps have resumed campaigning after a pause in the wake of Carnahan’s death. Ashcroft recently released new campaign ads touting him as a man of “Missouri values” who should lead the state in this time of crisis. He is spending the last week of the campaign on a 25-city campaign blitz dubbed the “Show-Me Experience Express” Tour.

Ashcroft does not mention Jean Carnahan in his speeches or ads, but his new campaign theme highlights his long political career and his opponent’s relative inexperience.

This week, Carnahan supporters distributed 780,000 lapel buttons proclaiming, “I’m still with Mel.” Mel Carnahan’s campaign paid for the buttons, but canceled all scheduled TV advertising.

The campaign has not decided whether Jean Carnahan will make campaign appearances. “We’re in completely uncharted territory,” a campaign spokesman said.