Former U.S. Sen. Gene Carnahan died Tuesday at the age of 90, his family announced.
Carnahan’s family said in a statement Tuesday that he “passed away peacefully after a long and rich life.”
“She was a fearless pioneer,” the statement said. “She was intelligent, creative, caring and dedicated to her family and fellow Missourians.”
The cause of Carnahan’s death is unknown, but her family said she died after a short illness.
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The late U.S. Sen. Gene Carnahan speaks while expressing support for Democratic Senate candidate Trudy Bush Valentine at the Kingside Diner on August 1, 2022 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Mr. Carnahan served as a Democratic member of the United States Senate from January 3, 2001 to November 25, 2002. She took up the position after her husband Mel was elected in 2000 after her death.
Mel, who died along with his son in a plane crash in 2000, served as governor of Missouri from 1992 until his death. At the time of his death, he was running for U.S. Senate against incumbent John Ashcroft.
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Sen. Gene Carnahan (D-Missouri) at a 2000 Armed Services Committee hearing.
Jean and Mel were married on June 12, 1954, after meeting at a church function. Born in Washington, DC, Jean graduated from the University of Washington one year after George.
Gene’s successor was Republican Jim Talent, who ran against Gene in a 2002 special election and won.
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Gene Carnahan, widow of the late Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, surrounded by her family on the deck of her home, announced on Oct. 30, 2000, that if voters chose her late husband’s name over Republican incumbent John Ashcroft in Rolla. announced that he has accepted an appointment to the Missouri State Senate seat. , M.O.
“My name never appeared on the ballot. There was no victory celebration on election night,” Carnahan said after being appointed to the U.S. Senate. “You guys are here to win. I’m here to lose. But we’re all here to do the work of this great country.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
