ks_gov_graves

GOVERNOR BILL GRAVES

• A native Kansan, Graves was born in Salina to William and Helen Graves. His father and grandfather founded Graves Truck Lines with a single truck and turned it into the biggest trucking operation in the state. Growing up, Graves experienced almost every aspect of the business, from hauling trash on the loading docks, to clerical work, to driving trucks overnight.

• As a teenager, Graves was a standout athlete. He attended Kansas Wesleyan University and starred on the baseball and football teams before graduating in 1975.

• After college, Graves took graduate business courses at the University of Kansas in preparation for joining the family business. However, in the middle of his studies, his father decided to sell the firm, and Graves decided to seek a job in public service.

• He went to work for George Bush's short-lived 1980 presidential campaign and then landed a job in the Kansas Secretary of State's office. He caught the eye of then-Secretary of State Jack Brier and, in 1985, became Brier's assistant secretary of state. In 1986, Brier decided to run for governor and Graves ran to fill his seat. Graves easily won election and was re-elected in 1990.

• Graves first thought about running for governor after the 1990 election, when Republican Governor Mike Hayden lost to Democrat Joan Finney. Graves began positioning himself well in advance of the 1994 campaign and became the first Republica candidate to declare for the race, more than a year in advance of the election. His planning paid off, and he won in a landslide, garnering 64% of the vote against Democrat Jim Slattery. It was the widest margin in 20 years.