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Robin Carnahan calling it quits

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Sept. 30, 2011 - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan chose the last day of this quarter's campaign-finance period to announce that she's not running for re-election in 2012 -- reversing her declaration earlier this year that she was definitely running for a third term.

In an email to supporters sent Friday afternoon, Carnahan wrote that "the time will be right for me to return to private life, to gather new ideas and experiences and a fresh perspective."

Carnahan left open the prospect that she may return to politics sometime in the future, citing the example of her father, the late Gov. Mel Carnahan, who stepped in and out of public life.

Carnahan has been secretary of state since 2005; she lost a bid last fall for the U.S. Senate, losing badly to Republican Roy Blunt.

Carnahan had raised little additional money this year for her third-term bid, raising suspicions in recent months that she might be reconsidering. Until Friday, however, she had denied that was the case.

Carnahan gave a rousing speech in June at the state Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson dinner held downtown.

Sources close to Carnahan, 50, say that her health is good. She is a cancer survivor and underwent treatment during her first term in office. Although she raised virtually no money this year, her last campaign-finance report, filed in July, showed her with a bank balance of $210,781.53

Her decision will likely ignite a flurry of Democratic activity to find a replacement since the 2012 election is just over 13 months away.

State Rep. Jason Kander, D-Kansas City, immediately sent out a statement announcing his candidacy. Kander also has hired the campaign consulting firm representing Gov. Jay Nixon, a fellow Democrat.

Other likely prospects may include former state Auditor Susan Montee, who has been chairman of the state Democratic Party since losing her own re-election bid last fall to Republican Tom Schweich, although by a closer margin than the Carnahan-Blunt contest.

Carnahan's brother, U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, swiftly issued a statement lauding his sister's years of service -- and making it clear that he has no intention of seeking her job. 

"I encourage Missourians who share Robin's dedication to working for the people of Missouri to select a candidate who will take up her fight and run," Russ Carnahan wrote. "I remain focused on representing the St. Louis region, working to grow the economy and jobs and preparing for reelection in 2012."

Later, Montee issued a statement on behalf of the Missouri Democratic Party that praised Robin Carnahan as "a dedicated and tireless public servant to the state of Missouri."

Montee added, "Robin has been an incredible advocate for middle class families, promoting fair elections, protecting our seniors and making Missouri a better state for us all. We know Robin will continue to serve Missourians well."

Montee said the Democratic Party is committed to "fielding a competitive candidate who will be a strong advocate for Missouri's families as Secretary of State."

Carnahan Political Legacy Goes Back Generations

The Carnahan family is Missouri's prominent political family in Democratic politics. Robin Carnahan's decision raises the prospect that no Carnahan will be on a statewide ballot in 2012; a Carnahan has been on the ballot in every presidential election year since 1988.

Her grandfather, A.S.J. Carnahan, was a Democratic member of Congress from southern Missouri during the 1940s. Her father, Mel Carnahan served as state treasurer, lieutenant governor and then governor before dying in a plane crash on Oct. 16, 2000 while campaigning for the U.S. Senate against Republican incumbent John Ashcroft.

The plane's pilot was Robin Carnahan's older brother, Randy, a lawyer who also ran the family cattle operation. Robin Carnahan has overseen the farm since the plane crash.

Robin Carnahan had been a behind-the-scenes player in Missouri politics for years and oversaw the successful 1999 statewide campaign against an initiative that would have allowed most Missourians to carry concealed weapons. (The Missouri General Assembly went on to enact a concealed-carry law in 2003.)

But it was her speech at her father's funeral on Oct. 20, 2000, which featured a eulogy by then-President Bill Clinton that immediately elevated Robin Carnahan's political and public profile.

She advised her mother, Jean Carnahan, who was appointed to a two-year term in the U.S. Senate after Mel Carnahan posthumously defeated Ashcroft in November 2000. Jean Carnahan lost a bid for a full term in 2002 to Republican Jim Talent.

In 2004, Robin Carnahan successfully defeated the Republican nominee for secretary of state, then-state House Speaker Catherine Hanaway of St. Louis County.

In 2008, Carnahan handily won re-election against a little-known Republican, Mitchell Hubbard.

As secretary of state, Carnahan oversees elections and also is the state's chief official overseeing the financial industry and corporate registrations. During her tenure, she has focused on battling securities fraud and also has been an outspoken critic of the Republican-led effort to require all Missouri voters to show a government-issued photo ID before being allowed to cast a ballot.

Excerpted text of Robin Carnahan's email announcing her decision not to seek re-election:

"I'm proud of the success we've had in the secretary of state's office by staying focused on things that matter for Missourians...

"Without question, serving the state and people that I love has been the honor of my life. Your friendship and support over the years have given me the strength to stand up to challenges, both political and personal. But after careful reflection, I've decided not to run for a third term as secretary of state.

"Many who step away from public life cite a desire to 'spend more time with family.' I've already learned to cherish every moment spent with family and friends because I know that life is precious and unpredictable.

"But I've also learned that service can and does take many forms, and elective office is just one of them.

"I watched as my father moved regularly between elective office and private life ... always devoted to his family and to making a positive difference in the community. He served on church boards, the local school board and helped the Red Cross and countless other causes -- every day committed to helping a neighbor and making the community better. Dad always thought his experience as a private citizen helped make him a more effective public servant and a better governor.

"After eight years as secretary of state, the time will be right for me to return to private life, to gather new ideas and experiences and a fresh perspective. But my commitment to public service won't stop, because I know the challenges facing our country can't be solved in Washington or Jefferson City alone. It will take ideas, energy and the daily commitment and determination of all of us. So I plan to stay engaged and involved. And I ask you to do the same. For me, that could include running for elected office again, but it will certainly mean speaking out and working hard for the values we share and the candidates who stand up for them ..."

Jo Mannies is a freelance journalist and former political reporter at St. Louis Public Radio.