Bill Graves | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 43rdGovernor of Kansas | |
| In office January 9, 1995 – January 13, 2003 | |
| Lieutenant | Sheila Frahm Gary Sherrer |
| Preceded by | Joan Finney |
| Succeeded by | Kathleen Sebelius |
| 28thSecretary of State of Kansas | |
| In office January 12, 1987 – January 9, 1995 | |
| Governor | Mike Hayden Joan Finney |
| Preceded by | Jack Brier |
| Succeeded by | Ron Thornburgh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Preston Graves (1953-01-09)January 9, 1953 (age 72) Salina, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Kansas Wesleyan University (BA) |
William Preston Graves (born January 9, 1953) is an American former politician who was the43rd governor of Kansas from 1995 until 2003.
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Graves was born inSalina, Kansas, to parents who owned a trucking firm. After graduating fromKansas Wesleyan University with a business degree, he worked in human resources. In 1986, he was electedKansas Secretary of State and in 1991, he was appointed as a representative of state governments to theCompetitiveness Policy Council.
Hedefeated Democratic CongressmanJim Slattery in theRepublican sweeping elections of 1994 at the age of 41. In 1997 Graves was the Chairman of theMidwestern Governors Association.
He wonre-election in 1998. Graves was barred from running for a third term as governor by Kansas state law, and was succeeded byDemocratKathleen Sebelius in January 2003. Serving with him as lieutenant governor wereSheila Frahm (1995–1996), whom he appointed to fillBob Dole's seat in the Senate, andGary Sherrer (1996–2003).
Following his tenure as governor, he became president of theAmerican Trucking Associations.[1]
In the2018 race for governor, Graves endorsed Democratic candidate and eventual winnerLaura Kelly over RepublicanKris Kobach.[2]Four years later, Graves again endorsed Kelly as she won re-election over RepublicanDerek Schmidt.[3]
Bill Graves married Linda Richey in 1990,[4] and they have one daughter.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Secretary of State of Kansas 1987–1995 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Kansas 1995–2003 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forSecretary of State of Kansas 1986, 1990 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forGovernor of Kansas 1994,1998 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byas Former Governor | Order of precedence of the United States | Succeeded byas Former Governor |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
