mo_sen_NIXON
JAY NIXON
Age: 41 Born: December 13, 1956 in DeSoto, Missouri Education: University of Missouri, J.D. (1981), B.A. (1978) Military: none Family: married - Georganne, 2 children Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri Religion: Methodist Career: Missouri Attorney General (1992-present); Candidate for U.S. Senate (1988); State Senator (1986-92); attorney (1981-86) |
· In 1988, Jeremiah W. "Jay" Nixon challenged then two-term Republican Senator John Danforth. He lost the election, gathering only 32% of the vote
· Nixon served two terms as Missouri Attorney General. During his tenure, he lobbied for significant changes to the state juvenile laws and worked to strengthen the consumer fraud unit. BarristerÂ's Magazine named Nixon one of the nationÂ's twenty outstanding lawyers.
· The candidateÂ's relationship with the African-American community has been strained. As Attorney General, he took his fight to end state funding for St. LouisÂ's court-ordered school desegregation program to the U.S. Supreme Court. Even though the court denied the appeal, the NAACP continues to picket NixonÂ's campaign events and some blacks have raised money for, Republican Incumbent, Sen. Kit Bond to send a message to the Democratic Party.
· Nixon is appealing to Missouri voterÂ's sense of sentimentality. He is attacking his opponent, Sen. Kit Bond, by linking himself with Harry Truman - who once held the same Senior Senate position.
· In April, both Nixon and Bond agreed to the "Clean Campaign" pledge. Both candidates, however, have resorted to personal attacks: Bond accused Nixon of having hired an attorney in the stateÂ's tobacco lawsuit as a payback for campaign contributions.
· If elected, Nixon promises to limit his tenure to two terms. On the campaign trail, he criticizeBond for seeking a third term, yet supporting term limits.