1992 Missouri gubernatorial election

none related races 1992 United States gubernatorial elections January 2025 August 2023 1992 Missouri gubernatorial election Missouri presidential no 1988 Missouri gubernatorial election 1988 1996 Missouri gubernatorial election 1996 November 3, 1992 File:Mel Carnahan 3x4 crop.jpg x150px Mel Carnahan Democratic Party (United States) 1,375,425 58.68% File:William L. Webster (cropped).jpg William L. Webster Republican Party (United States) 968,574 41.32% 1992 Missouri gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 275px County resultsCarnahan: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80%Webster: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70%Tie: #AE8BB1 50–50% Governor John Ashcroft Republican Party (United States) Mel Carnahan Democratic Party (United States) The 1992 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1992, and resulted in a victory for the Democratic nominee, Lt. Governor Mel Carnahan, over the Republican candidate, Missouri Attorney General William L. Webster, and Libertarian Joan Dow. http://www.rahul.net/cgi-bin/jwd3-cgi-bin/er-lookup?z=MO92gov Libertarian Party - Election Results https://web.archive.org/web/20010828025646/http://www.rahul.net/cgi-bin/jwd3-cgi-bin/er-lookup?z=MO92gov 28 August 2001 dead Carnahan had defeated St. Louis mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl for the Democratic nomination, while Webster had defeated Secretary of State Roy Blunt and Treasurer Wendell Bailey for the Republican nomination. Background The Democratic Party dominated Missouri politics in the 1950s and 1960s, but declined in the 1970s. The Democrats only won one statewide office, the position of lieutenant governor, in the 1984 and 1988 electionsLeuthold 1994 32 as the Republicans won the rest of the statewide elections.Leuthold 1994 4-5 Governor John Ashcroft was ineligible to seek reelection to a third term due to term limits.Leuthold 1994 11 Democratic primary Candidates Mel Carnahan, Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, former State Treasurer and candidate for Governor in 1984 Anthony Cox Elmer Dapron Cedric Hawkins Mary Johnson Sharon Rogers Vincent C. Schoemehl, mayor of St. Louis since 1981 Declined Dick Gephardt, member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri's 3rd congressional district (1977–2005)Leuthold 1994 32 Campaign Lieutenant Governor Mel Carnahan was the only Democrat to win a statewide election in 1988.Leuthold 1994 33 Carnahan's first campaign manager was his daughter Robin Carnahan. She was replaced by Celia Fischer and then Marc Farinella.Leuthold 1994 xii; 39 Carnahan raised $1.7 million in 1992, and ended with $130,000 in debt after the primary.Leuthold 1994 38-39 Schoemehl's campaign was managed by E.C. Walker, but the majority of the management was done by Nancy Rice.Leuthold 1994 39; 43 He raised $1.56 million in 1991, with one-fourth coming from labor groups or individuals. Two-thirds of his contributions came from the St. Louis metropolitan area and $400,000 came from out of state. John E. Connelly donated around $50,000 to his campaign. He raised $2.3 million in 1992, and ended with $153,000 in debt.Leuthold 1994 37-39 Since 1988, Carnahan and Schoemehl had been pegged as top contenders for the Governor's race.Wolfe James 1988-11-27 Politicians takes view of 1992 en 13A The Southeast Missourian https://books.google.com/books?id=2LYfAAAAIBAJ&dq=carnahan+schoemehl+1988&pg=PA7&article_id=1743,3425039 2023-09-21 Carnahan was perceived by many as dull, and a weak candidate.Mannies Jo 1992-10-30 Carnahan's Public Image Transformed 1 St. Louis Post-Dispatch https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/141649637/?terms=mel%20carnahan%20mastermind&match=1 2023-10-11 In contrast Shoemehl was thought to be the younger and more charismatic candidate.Grebing Jim 1990-08-31 1990 campaign a formality for gubernatorial hopefuls en 12A The Southeast Missourian https://books.google.com/books?id=KccfAAAAIBAJ&dq=carnahan+schoemehl+1988&pg=PA7&article_id=2143,8057822 2023-09-21 He was thought to be the frontrunner for a time, though was noted for a propensity for harsh outbursts.Viets Elaine 1990-10-30 On The Campaign Trail With Mayor Vince 35 St. Louis Post-Dispatch https://shsmo.newspapers.com/image/141501570/?terms=vince%20schoemehl%20mel%20carnahan&match=1 2023-10-11 Schoemehl attacked Carnahan as an out of touch politician from the past, and Carnahan would respond with attacks of Schoemehl as a big city politician who would never garner statewide support. These charges became relevant when Schoemehl referred to him as "some redneck from Rolla", attacks which Carnahan claimed reflected how his opponent truly viewed rural Missourians.Grebing Jim 1992-04-19 Carnahan takes issue with Schoemehl calling him "redneck" en 2A The Southeast Missourian https://books.google.com/books?id=uVogAAAAIBAJ&dq=carnahan+schoemehl&pg=PA2&article_id=1117,6496508 2023-09-21 This incident would be used part of a larger attack on Schoemehl and his tendency for offensive outbursts.Charton Scott 1992-08-03 Dreams will die for some in the gubernatorial primary en 5A The Southeast Missourian https://books.google.com/books?id=3K0fAAAAIBAJ&dq=carnahan+schoemehl&pg=PA3&article_id=2933,4156154 2023-09-21 In terms of issues, education funding was central to the campaign. Carnahan favored a plan of a $200 million tax increase for education funding, but Schoemehl favored cutting back on state bureaucracy to raise funds.Grebing Jim 1992-08-02 Democratic governor hopefuls stay upbeat as primary nears en 8A The Southeast Missourian https://books.google.com/books?id=260fAAAAIBAJ&dq=carnahan+schoemehl+education&pg=PA33&article_id=2473,3955576 2023-09-21Grebing Jim 1992-07-26 Governor race nears first cut en 4A The Southeast Missourian https://books.google.com/books?id=1q0fAAAAIBAJ&dq=carnahan+schoemehl+education&pg=PA3&article_id=3818,3096084 2023-09-21 On the issue of abortion, Schoemehl had been personally opposed to abortion, in contrast to Carnahan who was unequivocally pro-choice.1990-03-26 Abortion question an issue in race en 1 The Nevada Daily Mail Associated Press https://books.google.com/books?id=dmsfAAAAIBAJ&dq=carnahan+schoemehl+issues&pg=PA26&article_id=5300,5340060 2023-09-21 Endorsements Mel Carnahan 60em U.S. Congress Bill Clay, member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri's 1st congressional district (1969–2001)Leuthold 1994 37 Newspapers The Kansas City StarLeuthold 1994 37 Moberly Monitor-IndexLeuthold 1994 37 Warrensburg Star-JournalLeuthold 1994 37 Vincent Schoemehl 60em Organizations AFL-CIOLeuthold 1994 37 American Federation of State, County and Municipal EmployeesLeuthold 1994 37 Missouri National Education AssociationLeuthold 1994 37 United Auto WorkersLeuthold 1994 37 Newspapers Columbia Daily TribuneLeuthold 1994 37 The Joplin GlobeLeuthold 1994 37 Rolla Daily NewsLeuthold 1994 37 Springfield News-LeaderLeuthold 1994 37 St. Louis Post-DispatchLeuthold 1994 37 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MelCarnahan VincentSchoemehl Other /UndecidedMason-Dixon Polling & StrategyLeuthold 1994 34February 199238041%23%36%St. Louis Post-Dispatch/KMOXLeuthold 1994 34June 14–22, 199228232%33%34%St. Louis Post-Dispatch/KMOXLeuthold 1994 34July 27–August 1, 199247840%28%32% Results Carnahan had led in most polls, but at the end, the race was close, and Schoemehl had an advantage in fundraising. Carnahan won every county except for Ste. Genevieve County.Leuthold 1994 40Governor Primary Results https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/58432 2023-07-19 mdh.contentdm.oclc.org en Schoemehl would concede and offered his support to the Lt. Governor.Charton Scott 1992-08-05 Webster, Carnahan triumph en 1 The Southeast Missourian https://books.google.com/books?id=3a0fAAAAIBAJ&dq=schoemehl+concede&pg=PA3&article_id=3590,4380760 2023-09-21 Schoemehl lost both St. Louis and St. Louis County. He won seven of St. Louis' twenty-eight wards and won his home ward by 28 votes. Carnahan spent around $5 per vote while Schoemehl spent around $17 per vote.Leuthold 1994 40 1992 Democratic gubernatorial primary https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/58432 Page 733 Missouri Secretary of State 6 August 2023 Democratic Party (United States) Mel Carnahan 388,098 55.36% Democratic Party (United States) Vince Schoemehl 235,652 33.62% Democratic Party (United States) Sharon Rogers 35,104 5.01% Democratic Party (United States) Mary Johnson 22,273 3.18% Democratic Party (United States) Anthony Cox 11,514 1.64% Democratic Party (United States) Elmer Dapron 4,328 0.62% Democratic Party (United States) Cedric Hawkins 4,019 0.57% 700,988 100.0% Republican primary Candidates Wendell Bailey, Missouri Treasurer since 1985 Roy Blunt, Missouri Secretary of State since 1985 Fred Salmon Dwight Watts William L. Webster, Attorney General since 1985 Campaign Hillard Selck, the former chair of the Missouri Republican Party, organized a Draft Webster movement in February 1989.Leuthold 1994 21 Webster's campaign was managed by Tony Feather, who resigned as executive director of the Missouri Republican Party to accept the job, and employed Rich Galen as a press secretary.Leuthold 1994 xii; 24-25 His campaign raised $4 million over the course of two years, with over $250,000 coming from his hometown of Joplin, Missouri and $435,000 being raised after he announced his candidacy. William Pagano, the former police chief of Festus, Missouri that was convicted of murder, donated $34,000 to him between 1984 and 1989.Leuthold 1994 22 Webster's campaign started running ads in rural areas on March 17 while Blunt started in June.Leuthold 1994 19 Blunt's campaign was managed by Tom Dueschle, who managed Ashcroft's campaign in 1988, and employed Roger Ailes.Leuthold 1994 xii; 24 His campaign raised $2.5 million and had $130,000 in debt at the end of the campaign. His largest financial supporter was $105,000 in contributions and $200,000 in loans from Midland Bank, which was managed by his brother.Leuthold 1994 22-23 Bailey's campaign was managed by Ken Allen and Chris Molendorp worked as finance director.Leuthold 1994 xi; 24 His campaign raised around $700,000 and had $21,000 in debt at the end of the campaign. On August 4, 1991, he stopped accepting contributions greater than $100.Leuthold 1994 23; 31 Webster spent around $22 per vote he received, Blunt spent around $15, and Bailey spent around $10.Leuthold 1994 23-24 Webster book, Bill Webster's Blueprint for Missouri's Future, was criticized by The Kansas City Star due to its similarities to Reinventing Government by David Osborne and Ted Gaebler. Bailey later added a listing of important sources for the book. Bailey stated that "It's just out and out tripe and I feel better to know he didn't write it."Leuthold 1994 19 At the start of the primary, the consensus among Republicans was that one of the major candidates would emerge to become the next governor. Webster was the leading candidate, but Blunt's base in conservative southwest Missouri and Bailey's personable nature meant they were all formidable candidates.2016-03-12 GOP governor candidates hope to avoid repeating 1992 Missouri debacle The Kansas City Star https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article41364921.html 2023-07-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20160312023935/https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article41364921.html March 12, 2016 However, owing to this competitive nature, the primary was marred by the foibles of each candidate. For example, Bailey was detained by the FBI for carrying a pistol in an airport, an incident which was seen as derailing to his campaign.1991-11-20 Bailey says he may quit race en 8A The Southeast Missourian Associated Press https://books.google.com/books?id=dL8fAAAAIBAJ&dq=wendell+bailey+airport&pg=PA5&article_id=4918,2443681 2023-09-21 Among the frontrunners Blunt and Webster, word would soon emerge of Webster's involvement in a corruption scandal involving the Second Injury Fund, a state workers compensation program. The investigation, originally started in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, showed among other things, lawyers who contributed to Webster's campaign received larger settlements.How Post reporter uncovered Second Injury Fund scandal. - Free Online Library https://www.thefreelibrary.com/How+Post+reporter+uncovered+Second+Injury+Fund+scandal.-a015368409 2023-07-20 www.thefreelibrary.com The investigation would eventually expand to an investigation by a federal grand jury. Webster would attack an opponent, possibly Blunt, for leaking the story to the press that he was being investigated by a grand jury.Charton Scott 1991-10-30 Allegations rampant on Webster probe en 7A The Southeast Missourian https://books.google.com/books?id=Ya0fAAAAIBAJ&dq=william+webster+roy+blunt&pg=PA12&article_id=1207,7953170 2023-09-21 The scandal would become central to Blunt's campaign, who hired Ailes to make an ad featuring wealthy businessmen on a merry go round, drawing attention to the scandal.1992-08-20 It won't be a kinder gentler campaign en 4 Daily News https://books.google.com/books?id=KStCAAAAIBAJ&dq=webster+blunt+advertisement&pg=PA3&article_id=5764,2820957 2023-09-21 However, Webster responded with an attack on Blunt for supposedly printing the official state manual of Missouri in Indiana.1992-07-23 Webster, Blunt swap charges over TV ads en 6A The Southeast Missourian Associated Press https://books.google.com/books?id=1K0fAAAAIBAJ&dq=Roy+blunt+William+Webster+ads&pg=PA4&article_id=1427,2779465 2023-09-21 The primary was not completely about personalities. One issue which became a focal point was abortion. Blunt was anti-abortion, as was Webster, who argued a case before the Supreme Court upholding Missouri's abortion restrictions. Bailey, however was pro-choice, distinguishing him from the rest of the field.1990-02-12 Abortion issue divides GOP en 1 The Nevada Daily Mail Associated Press https://books.google.com/books?id=WmsfAAAAIBAJ&dq=william+webster+missouri+1992&pg=PA1&article_id=5791,2545247 2023-09-21 Bailey previously opposed abortion rights during the 1988 election.Leuthold 1994 18 Endorsements Wendell Bailey 60em Organizations NARALLeuthold 1994 22 Newspapers Columbia Daily Tribune (also recommended Blunt)Leuthold 1994 22 St. Louis Post-DispatchLeuthold 1994 22 Notable people Ana Stone, chair of the Republicans for ChoiceLeuthold 1994 22 Roy Blunt 60em Newspapers Columbia Daily Tribune (also recommended Bailey)Leuthold 1994 22 The Kansas City StarLeuthold 1994 22 Rolla Daily NewsLeuthold 1994 22 Springfield News-LeaderLeuthold 1994 22 Warrensburg Star-JournalLeuthold 1994 22 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error WendellBailey RoyBlunt WilliamWebster Other /UndecidedWebster internalLeuthold 1994 14December 199110%27%39%24%Mason-Dixon Polling & StrategyLeuthold 1994 14February 199221713%25%41%21%St. Louis Post-Dispatch/KMOXLeuthold 1994 14June 14–22, 19922378%18%45%28%St. Louis Post-Dispatch/KMOXLeuthold 1994 14July 28–31, 199231813%30%31%25% Results Webster won the primary by a narrow margin. 1992 Republican gubernatorial primaryhttps://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/bluebook/id/58434 Page 735 Missouri of Secretary of State 6 August 2023 Republican Party (United States) William L. Webster William Webster 183,968 43.79% Republican Party (United States) Roy Blunt 163,719 38.97% Republican Party (United States) Wendell Bailey 63,481 15.11% Republican Party (United States) Dwight Watts 5,019 1.19% Republican Party (United States) Fred Salmon 3,958 0.94% 420,145 100.0% General election Candidates Mel Carnahan, Lieutenant Governor of Missouri and former Treasurer (Democratic) Joan Dow (Libertarian, write-in) William L. Webster, Attorney General of Missouri (Republican) Results Despite the fact that Webster had wide recognition serving as the Attorney General of Missouri, he was handily defeated in a 17% margin of victory for Carnahan. Carnahan won the typically Democratic strongholds such as St. Louis and Kansas City, but also performed surprisingly well in most of rural Missouri. A factor in this was the issue of abortion, an issue which Webster found himself at a disadvantage owing to shifting support for pro-choice policies.Edsall Thomas B. 1992-10-15 Politics of Abortion Shift in Missouri https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1992/10/15/politics-of-abortion-shift-in-missouri/1326adeb-e9a2-42e0-99c9-17dae23e2d78/ 2023-08-15 Washington Post Carnahan's victory was likely aided in Bill Clinton's concurrent win in Missouri in the 1992 presidential election. Webster conceded defeat soon after the polls closed. This was a Democratic flip in the 1992 election cycle. Webster would be tried and convicted for his role in the Second Injury Fund scandal.2022-06-02 Webster sentenced for conspiracy and embezzlement of state resources https://www.stltoday.com/webster-sentenced-for-conspiracy-and-embezzlement-of-state-resources/article_d281b993-f1bd-51cd-88e0-00a9eff9de2d.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20230720044531/https://www.stltoday.com/webster-sentenced-for-conspiracy-and-embezzlement-of-state-resources/article_d281b993-f1bd-51cd-88e0-00a9eff9de2d.html 2023-07-20 2023-07-20 STLtoday.com en The Democrats won in all of the other concurrent statewide elections except for the U.S. Senate election.Leuthold 1994 6 1992 Missouri gubernatorial electionhttp://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=40282 MO Governor Race - Nov 03, 1992 Our Campaigns 2013-02-10 2011-09-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20110929063100/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=40282 live Democratic Party (United States) Mel Carnahan 1,375,425 58.68 +23.93 Republican Party (United States) William L. Webster 968,574 41.32 -22.90 Libertarian Party (United States) Joan Dow (write-in) 66 0.00 -1.03 406,851 17.36 -12.10 2,344,065 45.81 +3.38 Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) References Works cited Leuthold David Campaign Missouri 1992 University of Missouri Press 1994 https://archive.org/details/campaignmissouri0000leut 0826209777 Gubernatorial 1992 Missouri Category:1992 in Missouri Category:November 1992 in the United States