2000 Missouri gubernatorial election County resultsHolden: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%Talent: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
The2000 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democratic GovernorMel Carnahan was term-limited and ran for theU.S. Senate . On October 16, 2000, Carnahan died in a plane crash, and Lieutenant GovernorRoger B. Wilson served the remainder of Carnahan's term.
State Treasurer Bob Holden won theDemocratic nomination unopposed, and faced U.S. RepresentativeJim Talent , who won theRepublican primary over lesser-known candidates, in the general election. Holden narrowly defeated Talent, winning 49 percent of the vote to Talent's 48 percent.[ 1]
Republican primary results[ 4] Party Candidate Votes % Republican Jim Talent 296,159 84.49% Republican Jen Sievers 33,674 9.61% Republican Elgar Macy 20,681 5.90% Total votes 350,514 100.00%
Democratic primary results[ 4] Party Candidate Votes % Democratic Bob Holden 362,457 100.00% Total votes 362,457 100.00%
Libertarian primary [ edit ] John M. Swenson, retiree[ 3] Dick Illyes, businessman[ 3] Libertarian primary results[ 4] Party Candidate Votes % Libertarian John M. Swenson 1,032 60.35% Libertarian Dick Illyes 678 39.65% Total votes 1,710 100.00%
Constitution primary [ edit ] Richard L. Smith, truck driver[ 6] Constitution primary results[ 4] Party Candidate Votes % Constitution Richard L. Smith 299 100.00% Total votes 299 100.00%
Richard Allen Kline, retiree[ 3] Joseph C. Keller, physician[ 3] Kent A. Benson, developer[ 3] Reform primary results[ 4] Party Candidate Votes % Reform Richard Allen Kline 317 42.78% Reform Joseph C. Keller 231 31.17% Reform Kent A. Benson 193 26.05% Total votes 741 100.00%
2000 Missouri gubernatorial election[ 1] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Democratic Bob Holden 1,152,752 49.12% −8.05% Republican Jim Talent 1,131,307 48.21% +7.77% Independent Larry Rice 34,431 1.47% Libertarian John M. Swenson 11,274 0.48% −1.92% Green Lavoy Reed 9,008 0.38% Reform Richard Allen Kline 4,916 0.21% Constitution Richard L. Smith 3,142 0.13% Majority 21,445 0.91% −15.82% Total votes 2,346,830 100.00% Democratic hold
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican [ edit ] ^a b "Official Election Returns State of Missouri General Election Tuesday, November 07, 2000" (PDF) .Missouri Secretary of State . 2000. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2026 .^ Kraske, Steve (February 9, 1999)."Talent aims to be governor of Missouri" .The Kansas City Star . RetrievedFebruary 7, 2026 – viaNewspapers.com . ^a b c d e f g "Governor's office draws 10 candidates" .St. Louis Post-Dispatch . RetrievedFebruary 7, 2026 – viaNewspapers.com .^a b c d e "Official Election Returns State of Missouri Primary Election Tuesday, August 08, 2000" (PDF) .Missouri Secretary of State . 2000. RetrievedFebruary 7, 2026 .^ Mannies, Jo (March 6, 1998)."It's official: Treasurer Holden wants to be governor" .St. Louis Post-Dispatch . RetrievedFebruary 7, 2026 – viaNewspapers.com . ^ "Gubernatorial candidates speak at forum" .Springfield News-Leader . RetrievedFebruary 7, 2026 – viaNewspapers.com .
President U.S. U.S. State Attorneys State States Mayors Anchorage, AK Baton Rouge, LA Fort Lauderdale, FL Fresno, CA Irvine, CA Milwaukee, WI Orlando, FL Portland, OR Sacramento, CA San Diego, CA San Juan, PR Santa Ana, CA Local Miami-Dade County,FL New Castle County,DE Oakland County,MI Pierce County,WA Salt Lake County,UT Summit County,OH
_(52976934833)_(cropped).jpg)
