CARNAHAN WINS
Missouri's U.S. Senate Seat

SEN. BOND ALLEGES VOTER FRAUD
The Missouri Senator claims Democrats "colluded" to keep St. Louis polls open late.

ASHCROFT UNSEATED BY LATE GOV. CARNAHAN
The late Governor Mel Carnahan won one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races. Carnahan received a majority of the ballots, unseating freshman Senator John Ashcroft.

The nation was shocked when Carnahan, his son, and a campaign aide were killed in a plane crash Oct. 16. Acting Missouri Governor Roger Wilson said he would appoint Jean Carnahan to the seat if her late husband wins. While Mrs. Carnahan did not actively campaign for the seat, she said that she would accept the appointment and filmed a campaign commercial.

Before Carnahan's death, the race between the two candidates was a very contentious battle between two longtime political rivals. Ashcroft briefly suspended his campaign after Carnahan's death. When he renewed his campaign, he released ads touting himself as a man of "Missouri values" who should lead the state in this time of crisis. He spent the last week of the campaign on a 25-city campaign blitz dubbed the "Show-Me Experience Express" Tour.

In a concession speech given Wednesday afternoon, Ashcroft said that he wished Mrs. Carnahan well and hoped that the election results afforded her some solace after her husband's death. In a speech given early Wednesday morning, Jean Carnahan thanked her supporters and said that she thinks her husband " would really be proud of what people have done for him."

THE DEATH OF MEL CARNAHAN
Oct. 17 -- Democratic Governor Mel Carnahan was killed in a small plane crash last night. Lt. Gov. Wilson will serve out the remained of Carnahan's term through January 20001.

Carnahan's name will remain on the ballot as the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. If a majority of voters cast ballots for Carnahan, Wilson would appoint someone to fill the vacancy until a November 2002 election.

A BIOGRAPHY
Mel Carnahan served two terms as governor of Missouri and had been a fixture in state politics. (10/17)

[Editor's Note: The following pieces were written prior to the 10/16 plane crash that killed Governor Carnahan.]

A MISSOURI BATTLE ROYAL
The campaign for Missouri's U.S. Senate seat is one of the toughest fought races in the nation. (10/13)

THE DISTRICT
This state at the heart of the nation has served as an electoral bellwether and is one of the key political battleground this year. (10/13)

THE INCUMBENT
Republican John Ashcroft, a freshman U.S. senator, is battling to keep his seat. (10/13)