Preceded by Joan Finney Name Bill Graves Succeeded by Kathleen Sebelius Religion Methodist Party Republican Party | Children Katie Graves Spouse Linda Graves (m. 1990) Political party Republican Role Former Governor of Kansas Resigned January 13, 2003 | |
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Lieutenant Sheila Frahm
Gary Sherrer Born January 9, 1953 (age 71)
Salina, Kansas ( 1953-01-09 ) Profession Transportation Industry Education Kansas Wesleyan University Previous office Governor of Kansas (1995–2003) | ||
Bill graves 1994 kansas governor general election campaign tv ad 11
William Preston Graves (born January 9, 1953), is a former American politician who was the 43rd Governor of Kansas from 1995 until 2003.
Contents
- Bill graves 1994 kansas governor general election campaign tv ad 11
- Bill graves kansas governor 1996 arts speech
- Career
- Personal life
- References
Bill graves kansas governor 1996 arts speech
Career
Graves was born in Salina, Kansas, in 1953 to parents who owned a trucking firm. After graduating from Kansas Wesleyan University with a business degree, he worked in human resources. In 1990, he was elected Kansas Secretary of State and in 1991, he was appointed as a representative of state governments to the Competitiveness Policy Council.
He defeated Democratic Congressman Jim Slattery in the Republican sweeping elections of 1994 at the age of 41, and became one of the youngest governors in Kansas history. A moderate Republican, Graves was known for his disputes with the conservative wing of the Kansas Republican Party. His term of office saw strong economic growth for Kansas after years of recession, and a continued excellence and emphasis on education. In 1997 Graves served as the Chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association.
He won re-election in 1998 with 74% of the vote, which was the largest margin of victory by any governor up for election in 1998, and one of the largest margins of victory in Kansas gubernatorial history. Graves was barred from running for a third term as governor by Kansas state law, and was succeeded by Democrat Kathleen Sebelius in January 2003. Serving with him as lieutenant governor were Sheila Frahm (1995–1996), whom he appointed to fill Bob Dole's seat in the Senate, and Gary Sherrer (1996–2003).
Following his tenure as governor, he has served as president of the American Trucking Associations.
Graves was one of five former governors of Kansas interviewed for the public television documentary, The Kansas Governor.
Personal life
Bill Graves married Linda Richey in 1990, they have one daughter named Katherine (born 1995).