Russ Carnahan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chair of theMissouri Democratic Party | |
| Assumed office March 18, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Butler |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMissouri's3rd district | |
| In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Dick Gephardt |
| Succeeded by | Lacy Clay (redistricted) |
| Member of theMissouri House of Representatives from the 59th district | |
| In office January 2001 – January 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Auer |
| Succeeded by | Jeanette Mott Oxford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Russell Carnahan (1958-07-10)July 10, 1958 (age 66) Columbia, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Debra Goetz |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Carnahan family |
| Education | University of Missouri (BA,JD) |
John Russell Carnahan (/ˈkɑːrnəhæn/; born July 10, 1958) is an American politician from thestate ofMissouri. A member of theDemocratic Party, he served as theU.S. representative forMissouri's 3rd congressional district from 2005 to 2013.
At the time, the district included the southern third of the city ofSt. Louis (known as South City) and most of the southern St. Louis suburbs including most ofJefferson County and all ofSte. Genevieve County. Some cities located in the district include:Webster Groves,Mehlville,Affton, andOakville, and the southern suburbs ofArnold,Herculaneum,Pevely,Crystal City,Barnhart,Imperial, andFestus, as well asSte. Genevieve in the neighboring Ste. Genevieve County.
Dramatic losses in population in St. Louis in the2010 Census contributed to Missouri losing a Congressional seat effective 2013. In the re-mapping of the state's congressional districts, Carnahan's district was dismantled. The bulk of the district, including Carnahan's home, was drawn intoMissouri's 1st congressional district. The move placed Carnahan andWilliam Lacy Clay Jr. in the same district; Carnahan lost the primary to Clay for the seat on August 7, 2012.[1][2]
As of 2023, he is the Chair of theMissouri Democratic Party.[3]
John Russell Carnahan was born in 1958 inColumbia, Missouri,[4] and raised inRolla.[5] He is the son of the lateMel Carnahan, the formerGovernor of Missouri and posthumousU.S. Senator-elect, andJean Carnahan (née Carpenter), who was appointed to theU.S. Senate to fill the seat to which her husband was posthumously elected.
His grandfather,A. S. J. Carnahan, served in Congress for seven terms, and also as U.S. Ambassador toSierra Leone. Russ Carnahan is a recipient of theEagle Scout Award. His sisterRobin Carnahan was elected to the office ofsecretary state in 2004 and again in 2008 in which she received the most votes cast for a single candidate in the state's history. His brother Randy was killed in the same plane crash that took the life of his father. Russ Carnahan received abachelor's degree and aJuris Doctor degree from theUniversity of Missouri. He worked as a private practice attorney prior to entering politics.[citation needed]
Crime: In the 2008 Missouri Congressional Political Courage Test, Carnahan supported the use of the death penalty in federal crimes.[6] He also supported strict penalties for internet crime, such as hackingidentity theft.[6] However, he also supported programs to provide inmates with job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.[6] In addition, Carnahan supported programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.[6] He supported the requirement that crimes based on sexual orientation should be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.[6]
Economy & Jobs: In 2009, Carnahan voted for theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Missouri Republicans criticized Carnahan's vote, noting that passage of the bill resulted in $107 million in federal funding for Lost Creek Wind Farm, an alternative energy facility owned by Russ Carnahan's brother, Tom Carnahan.[7][8][9]
Environment & Energy: Carnahan supported the regulation and enforcements of both the Clean Air and Clean Water Act.[6] He supported further development and use of alternative fuels as well as the development of traditional energy resources, such as coal and natural gas.[6] Carnahan also wanted to strengthen emission controls on all gasoline and diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and SUVs.[6] He has supported tax credits to consumers and manufacturers of hybrid vehicles.[10] In addition, he supported international voluntary and mandatory emission targets to limit global warming.[6]Carnahan has supported the interests of groups trying to protect the environment, such as the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund.[11] Russ Carnahan voted in favor of H.R. 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 also known as the Cap and Trade bill or Waxman/Markey act.[12]
Health: Recently, Carnahan voted against a Health Care and Insurance Law amendment that would prohibit federal funding of abortion services.[6] He supports the interests of pro-choice groups such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.[13]Carnahan wants tax credits to be offered to individuals and small businesses to offset the cost of insurance.[6] He also supports the importation of prescription drugs to the U.S., and wants to expand prescription drug coverage under Medicare so that more people can be covered.[6] Carnahan would also like child healthcare programs to be expanded so that more children can be covered.[6] Carnahan voted in favor of H.R. 3962: Affordable Health Care for America Act in 2009,[14]
Foreign Policy In January 2010, Carnahan partnered with Republican CongressmanJoseph Cao of Louisiana to create the American Engagement Caucus, its stated purpose being the promotion of a multilateral foreign policy in which the United States works closely with other countries to address global problems. As a joint editorial between the two congressmen stated, "We live in an age of interdependence. America's security, economic, environmental, and moral interests are inextricably linked with those of the international community. Simply put, it is in our vital national interest to support international engagement.".[15] He has since introduced multiple other bills related toscience diplomacy.[16]
Guns TheNRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) rated Carnahan an "F" in 2004 and 2010,.[17]Robin Carnahan, Russ's sister also has an F rating with the NRA-PVF, who backed her opponent in the 2004 election for Missouri Secretary of State.[18] In 2016 during his run for Lt. Governor, Carnahan said,"I'm a member of the NRA as well as a Democrat. Democrat or Republican, no decision is going to be made to be harmful to the people."[19]
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Carnahan's first campaign for political office was in 1990, when he unsuccessfully ran for Congress in the8th Congressional District against RepublicanU.S. RepresentativeBill Emerson, losing by 14 points, 57% to 43%. His grandfather had previously represented much of this district's western portion for all but two years from 1947 to 1961.
Prior to challenging Emerson, by his own telling the then-32-year-old Carnahan had already "been active in government and politics for most of my adult life."[20] Carnahan was active in several of his late father's political campaigns, including successful bids for state treasurer (1980) and lieutenant governor (1988), and an unsuccessful race for governor (1984). In January 1980, Carnahan slept for five days on the floor outside the Secretary of State's Office in the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, to ensure that his father's name would be first on the ballot for Missouri State Treasurer when filing opened on January 8. Said Carnahan, "A lot of people get football tickets this way. It's going to be a long five days, so I guess we'll get some sleeping bags and a TV in here."[21] And in 1984, when his father ran for state treasurer, Carnahan made stump speeches for him across Missouri.[22] Carnahan also had already worked for Missouri House SpeakerBob F. Griffin, Missouri Secretary of State Jim Kirkpatrick, and Missouri House Majority Leader Tony Ribaudo; had served on the executive committee of the Missouri Democratic Party; and, was the deputy Missouri campaign manager for Dick Gephardt's 1988 presidential campaign.[23]
In his race against Emerson, one newspaper remarked "on Carnahan's tactics of deliberate misinformation and distortion of facts" and his "negative and demagogic approach to the 8th District race."[24] TheSikeston Standard-Democrat said, "Democrat Russ Carnahan has brought more mud into a congressional campaign than the days ofBill D. Burlison."[25] According to theRolla Daily News, "We have already heard enough from Carnahan, whose loose interpretation of Mr. Emerson's record is grossly misleading. Mostly B.S., in other words. Couple that with Carnahan's wild accusations of what Emerson is to be blamed for, and I wouldn't be surprised if Carnahan doesn't soon attribute Missouri's recent fifth-down loss to Colorado to Emerson."[24] Responding to this criticism, Carnahan alleged "that the Sowers family, which publishes theRolla Daily News, has endorsed Emerson because the congressman rents district office space from the family."[24] TheSoutheast Missourian described Carnahan's claim as "amateurish."[24] In the final days of the campaign, "frustrated by ads being run by [Emerson]," Carnahan "lashed back by calling Emerson a 'damn liar.'"[26] Emerson defeated Carnahan, 57% to 43%.
Carnahan considered running against Emerson again in 1994, but ultimately "decided 1994 was not the time."[27] He then moved to St. Louis, where in 2000 he was elected to theMissouri House of Representatives. He narrowly defeated political activistJeanette Mott Oxford in the Democraticprimary election[28] by a scant 64 votes but went on to win the general election by a wide margin.[29] He was reelected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002.
In 2004, Carnahan ran for the 3rd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives which was vacated by retiring U.S. Representative and formerHouse Minority Leader and co-founder of the New Democratic CoalitionDick Gephardt. Carnahan narrowly won a crowded primary field of ten Democratic candidates in 2004 with 22.9 percent of the vote, finishing with less than 1,800 votes ahead of his nearest rival, political activistJeff Smith, who garnered 21.3 percent. In the general election Carnahan faced Republican candidate William J. Federer, an author andReligious Right activist who had previously run against Gephardt on several occasions. The election was somewhat closer than expected. However, St. Louis's strong Democratic tilt (a Republican had not represented this district or its predecessors since 1953) helped Carnahan win with 53 percent of the vote. The district reverted to form in 2006 and Carnahan was reelected with 65 percent of the vote.
Carnahan won re-election over Republican nomineeEdward Martin Jr., Constitution Party nominee Nick Ivanovich, and Libertarian nominee Steven Hedrick. Brian Wallner qualified as a write-in candidate.
During his time in Congress, Carnahan represented the southern third of St. Louis City, as well as much of southernSt. Louis County and all ofJefferson andSte. Genevieve counties. However, Missouri was due to lose a district after the 2010 census revealed sluggish population growth in Missouri, particularly in St. Louis.
On May 4, 2011, the Missouri Legislature overrode GovernorJay Nixon's veto of the proposed elimination of the 3rd District, by a 109-44 vote in the Missouri House, and 28-6 in the Missouri Senate.[30] The new map merged all of St. Louis, including Carnahan's home, into the1st District, represented by six-term DemocratLacy Clay.
Carnahan challenged Clay in the primary for the redrawn 1st on August 7, 2012–the real contest in this heavily Democratic district–and lost by a landslide, 63% to 34%.[31][32]
Carnahan was mentioned as a possible candidate to fill a vacancy in the 8th District after Rep.Jo Ann Emerson stepped down in 2013.[33]
Carnahan was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee forlieutenant governor.[34] "Many of you have consistently encouraged me to continue serving our state in new ways — especially at a time when so many of our state officials are so very disconnected from the everyday needs and aspirations of Missourians," he wrote.[35] He lost the general election to RepublicanMike Parson.
| Year | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democratic | Votes | Pct | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Bill Emerson | 81,452 | 57.3% | Russ Carnahan | 60,751 | 42.7% |
| Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Russ Carnahan | 146,894 | 52.9% | Bill Federer | 125,422 | 45.1% | Kevin C. Babcock | Libertarian | 4,367 | 1.6% | William J. Renaud | Constitution | 1,222 | 0.4% | * | ||||
| 2006 | Russ Carnahan | 145,219 | 65.6% | David Bertelsen | 70,189 | 31.7% | R. Christophel | Libertarian | 4,213 | 1.7% | David Sladky | Progressive | 1,827 | 0.8% | |||||
| 2008 | Russ Carnahan | 202,470 | 66.4% | Chris Sander | 92,759 | 30.4% | Kevin C. Babcock | Libertarian | 5,518 | 1.8% | Cynthia L. Redburn | Constitution | 4,324 | 1.4% | |||||
| 2010 | Russ Carnahan | 99,398 | 48.9% | Ed Martin | 94,757 | 46.7% | Steven R. Hedrick | Libertarian | 5,772 | 2.8% | Nicholas J. Ivanovich | Constitution | 3,155 | 1.6% |
| Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Democratic | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Lacy Clay | 57,791 | 63.3% | Russ Carnahan | 30,943 | 33.9% | Candice Britton | 2,570 | 2.8% |
| year | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Libertarian | Votes | Pct | Green | Votes | Pct | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Mike Parson | 1,459,392 | 52.8% | Russ Carnahan | 1,168,947 | 42.3% | Steven R. Hedrick | 69,253 | 2.5% | Jennifer Leach | 66,490 | 2.4% | * |
{{cite book}}:|work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)| Missouri House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ron Auer | Member of theMissouri House of Representatives from the 59th district 2001–2005 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMissouri's 3rd congressional district 2005–2013 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forLieutenant Governor of Missouri 2016 | Succeeded by Alissia Canady |
| Preceded by | Chair of theMissouri Democratic Party 2023–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byas Former US Representative | Order of precedence of the United States as Former US Representative | Succeeded byas Former US Representative |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
