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Bob Holden

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For the Australian racing driver, see Bob Holden (racing driver). For other people, see Robert Holden (disambiguation).

Bob Holden
Official portrait, 2001
53rd Governor of Missouri
In office
January 8, 2001 – January 10, 2005
LieutenantJoe Maxwell
Preceded byRoger B. Wilson
Succeeded byMatt Blunt
42nd State Treasurer of Missouri
In office
January 11, 1993 – January 8, 2001
GovernorMel Carnahan
Roger B. Wilson
Preceded byWendell Bailey
Succeeded byNancy Farmer
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 136th district
In office
January 1983 – January 1989
Preceded byRobert Ellis Young[1]
Succeeded byB.J. Marsh[2]
Personal details
Born
Robert Lee Holden Jr.

(1949-08-24) August 24, 1949 (age 75)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLori Hauser
ChildrenRobert Lee Holden III, John D Holden
Alma materMissouri State University
Signature

Robert Lee Holden Jr. (born August 24, 1949) is an American politician who served as the 53rd governor of Missouri from 2001 to 2005. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Missouri state treasurer from 1993 to 2001 and represented the 136th district in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1983 to 1989. Since leaving public office, Holden has worked at Webster University, where he founded the Holden Public Policy Forum, and serves as the president and chairman of the United States Heartland China Association.

Early life

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Even though he was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 24, 1949, Holden was raised on a farm near Birch Tree. He attended a one-room school and earned his bachelor's degree in political science at Missouri State University (then known as Southwest Missouri State), where he was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he took courses specifically tailored for government executives. Holden met his wife Lori Hauser during his first campaign for the Missouri General Assembly and together, they have two boys, Robert and John D.[3]

His brother, Calvin Ray Holden, is a Greene County Circuit Court judge.[4]

Early political career

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Holden during his tenure as a state representative

From 1975 to 1981, Holden worked in the office of State Treasurer James Spainhower, and worked on Spainhower's 1980 campaign for governor.[5][6] From 1983 to 1989, Holden was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. During his tenure, he became chair of the appropriations committee.[7]

In January of 1988, he announced his campaign for State Treasurer of Missouri against incumbent Republican Wendell Bailey.[8] Holden's race was considered to be one of the few potentially competitive races for Democrats that year, and Bailey was seen as the most vulnerable Republican up that year.[9][10] Holden lost by over 40,000 votes in a close contest.[11] After this loss, Holden worked as the chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Dick Gephardt.[12]

In 1992, Holden made another bid, and this time was successful.[13] Holden served in the position from 1993 to 2001.

Holden as State Treasurer
Holden as State Treasurer

Governor of Missouri

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In the 2000 election, Holden was expected to face a tough primary against Lieutenant Governor Roger B. Wilson.[14] But in March of 1998, Wilson declined a bid, mostly to spend more time with family, but also due to fundraising troubles against Holden.[15][16] Holden won the Democratic nomination and faced Republican Congressman Jim Talent in the general election. During the campaign, Talent attacked Holden as an establishment candidate, while Holden compared Talent to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich when commenting on Talent's proposals, saying "this isn't Washington".[17]

Holden suffered from low name recognition early in the race, but by late October had begun leading Talent by several points in the polls.[18] When voting began on November 7, Talent had an early lead. However, when votes from St. Louis came in around midnight, Holden took over the lead.[19] At 2:35 a.m. on November 8, the Associated Press called the race for Holden, and Talent conceded shortly after.[20] Holden's victory over Talent marked the closest election for Missouri governor since 1976 and the first election since 1924 in which neither candidate received a majority of the vote.

Holden was inaugurated as governor in January 2001. His inauguration was the most elaborate and expensive in state history. The ceremony cost $1 million, of which $125,000 was paid from state government funds.[21] Months after, there was still a remaining debt of $417,000.[22] Although Holden's inauguration ceremony received public financing equal to that of Missouri's previous two governors, a perception that the inauguration was overly extravagant emerged and became a theme in opposition to his administration.[23]

Not long after his inauguration, Holden faced a challenge from the new legislature. In special elections held weeks after his inauguration, Republicans won control of the state senate.[24][25] This made Holden the first governor since Phil Donnelly to face a divided legislature.[26] However, in spite of this, Holden was able to get some legislative accomplishments. Later that year, when Holden called a special session, the legislature passed a bill, which created a new prescription drug benefit for seniors.[27][28] But the relationship would grow more troubled, with Holden at one point having three vetoes overridden in a year, the same number of vetoes among all Missouri governors post-Civil War.[29][30]

Holden was pro-gun, but due to some negative effects that he felt proposed legislation would have on Missouri gun owners, and due to the results of a 1999 referendum, he vetoed a concealed-carry bill passed by the Missouri General Assembly.[31][32] This was short-lived because his veto was overridden by both the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate and the concealed-carry bill passed into law in 2003.[33] Several Republican legislators who had initially voted against the bill, such as Michael Gibbons of Kirkwood, switched sides to override Holden's veto. [34][32]

Holden's biggest challenge arguably was the economy and spending. At various times during his administration, Holden made drastic cuts in the state's budget.[35][36] This included cuts, proposed and enacted, to Medicaid,[37] to education,[38] and to the state government.[39] Not helping matters, the state oversaw some 77,000 job losses in key industries due to the national recession.[40] Holden did generally favor greater spending on state elementary and secondary education, but faced problems with raising funds. and he called the state legislature back into session after they had recessed for the year to ask for more state funding for education via raising taxes on casinos, but they refused additional spending.[41] While wanting to raise taxes to pay for various programs, the Republican-led state legislature stymied these attempts.[42]

Holden was a member of the National Governors Association and was elected chair of the Midwestern Governors’ Conference which led the Midwestern states’ efforts to stimulate the economy by focusing on education and research. He also chaired the Governor's Ethanol Coalition and represented fellow governors on the National Medicaid Reform Task Force.[43]

2004 election

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In March of 2003, Holden announced his bid for re-election in 2004.[44] He was challenged for the Democratic nomination for governor by a fellow Democrat, State Auditor Claire McCaskill, who had won the support of officials such as former governor Roger B. Wilson.[45] McCaskill based her campaign on the broad-based disgruntlement with Holden that prompted even some Democrats to call him by the unflattering moniker "OTB" (One Term Bob).[46] However, Holden still had some support among the state establishment, and prominent backers in U.S. House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt and former U.S. Senator Thomas Eagleton.[40] After Holden's approval rating steadily dropped during the second half of his term, McCaskill defeated Holden in the Democratic primary, marking the first primary loss for a sitting governor since 1994 and the first loss for a sitting governor in Missouri's history.[47]

McCaskill lost the November 2 general election to Republican Secretary of State Matt Blunt. Holden's term ended on January 10, 2005.

Life after politics

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Holden is currently the President and Chairman of the United States Heartland China Association,[48] the United States Heartland China Association (USHCA) is a 501(c)3 bipartisan organization committed to building stronger ties between USHCA Region (21 states located in the US between the Great Lakes to the Gulf) and the People’s Republic of China. Their focus is on Trust Building efforts connecting government officials; business leaders; educational and community interests with like-minded institutions between the Heartland Region and the People’s Republic of China.

Previously, Holden taught political science and communications courses at Webster University. Governor Holden is the founder and Director of the Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University. The Forum describes itself as "a bi-partisan speakers series that will bring Governors, Senators, presidential candidates and private sector public policy leaders to St. Louis and the Webster University Old Post Office campus."[49]

In 2016, Holden was appointed to the executive committee of Missouri's statewide NAACP chapter.[50]

Holden endorsed and campaigned on behalf of Vice President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries of the 2020 United States presidential election.[51] Holden had previously endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries of the 2008 presidential campaign and served as a Missouri Co-Chair and a member of the Clinton campaign's Education Policy Taskforce.[52]

Electoral history

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2000 Missouri gubernatorial election[53][54]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Holden 1,152,752 49.12 Decrease 8.05
Republican Jim Talent 1,131,307 48.21 Increase 7.78
Independent Larry Rice 34,431 1.47 N/A
Libertarian John M. Swenson 11,274 0.48 Decrease 1.92
Green Lavoy (Zaki Baruti) Reed 9,008 0.38 N/A
Reform Richard Kline 4,916 0.21 N/A
Constitution Richard L. Smith 3,142 0.13 N/A
Total votes 2,346,830 100.00 +0.07
Democratic hold
2004 Missouri gubernatorial election[55]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Claire McCaskill 437,780 51.64
Democratic Bob Holden (incumbent) 383,734 45.27
Democratic Jim LePage 16,761 1.98
Democratic Jeffery A. Emrick 9,473 1.12
Total votes 847,748 100

References

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  1. ^ "Our Campaigns - MO State House 136 Race - Nov 02, 1982".
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - MO State House 136 Race - Nov 04, 1986".
  3. ^ Holden's biography Archived September 2, 2006, at the Wayback Machine at the Webster University Public Policy Forum website
  4. ^ "Reward offered for info about missing son of 2 judges". Columbia Missourian. Associated Press. January 14, 2020. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  5. ^ "Race for Missouri Treasurer". The Southeast Missourian. October 24, 1988. pp. 4A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  6. ^ Powers, Marc (July 21, 2003). "Democratic fight has parallels to '80". The Southeast Missourian. p. 4. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  7. ^ Hill, Pam (May 25, 1988). "Rep. Holden wants to unseat Bailey". The Nevada Daily Mail. p. 1. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  8. ^ Grebing, Jim (January 26, 1988). "Holden: Will restore treasurer professionalism". The Southeast Missourian. p. 1. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  9. ^ "Carnahan, Grisham battle for statewide post". The Nevada Daily Mail. Associated Press. November 1, 1988. p. 5. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  10. ^ "Bailey seeks re-election as Missouri's Treasurer". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. February 25, 1988. pp. 5A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  11. ^ Missouri Secretary of State. "State Treasurer Results". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  12. ^ Grebing, Jim (September 25, 1992). "Holden looks forward to the general election". The Southeast Missourian. pp. 2A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  13. ^ Missouri Secretary of State. "State Treasurer Results". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  14. ^ Murphy, Kevin (July 25, 1997). "Spats show discord among Democrats". The Southeast Missourian. pp. 7A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  15. ^ "Democrats praise Wilson, endorse Holden". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. March 8, 1998. pp. 11A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  16. ^ "Washingtonpost.com: State of Play". The Washington Post. September 19, 2000. Archived from the original on September 19, 2000. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  17. ^ Talent, Holden square off. Columbia Daily Tribune. October 16, 2000.
  18. ^ Governor hopefuls running close race. The Springfield News-Leader. October 29, 2000.
  19. ^ Flory, Josh (November 8, 2000). Late returns put Holden over top. Columbia Daily Tribune. November 8, 2000.
  20. ^ Talent concedes governor's race to Holden. The Daily Journal. November 9, 2000.
  21. ^ "Blunt donates leftover inaugural funds to local tsunami relief efforts". www.bizjournals.com. February 1, 2005. Archived from the original on March 12, 2005. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  22. ^ admin (May 18, 2001). "Missouri governor under fire for expensive inauguration | Maryland Daily Record". Maryland Daily Record. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  23. ^ "Holden's Campaign Funds Almost Empty". www.mdn.org.
  24. ^ Kinder, Peter (February 9, 2003). "Business approach results in significant savings for senate". The Southeast Missourian. pp. 9B. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  25. ^ Reischman, Collin (January 2, 2014). "A Look Back: The 2001 Senate Special Election". The Missouri Times. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  26. ^ A history of Missouri. 6: 1953 to 2003 / Lawrence H. Larsen. Columbia, Miss: Univ. of Miss. Pr. 2004. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-8262-1546-8. He had further problems in Jefferson City, where he was the first governor since Donnelly in 1953 to face a politically divided General Assembly — the house was Democratic and the senate Republican.
  27. ^ Sloca, Paul (September 6, 2001). "Drug benefit takes stage in session". The Southeast Missourian. pp. 1A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  28. ^ Lieb, David A. (October 6, 2001). "Holden signs prescription drug legislation into law". The Southeast Missourian. pp. 4A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  29. ^ "Missouri voters approve gay marriage ban". NBC News. August 3, 2004. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  30. ^ "History of legislative veto overrides in Missouri". The Nevada Daily Mail. Associated Press. September 14, 2003. pp. 5A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  31. ^ Wicai, Hillary (July 3, 2003). "Holden Vetoes Concealed Carry Bill". STLPR. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Corrigan, Don (July 11, 2003). "Gov. Holden Travels To Area To Veto Concealed Weapons Bill". WKTimes LLC. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  33. ^ "Mo. Allows Concealed Weapons - The Washington Post". The Washington Post. October 11, 2018. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  34. ^ "Conceal Guns Opponents Protest Outside Gibbons' Office". STLPR. September 19, 2003. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  35. ^ "Holden announces $60 million in budget cuts". STLPR. February 6, 2003. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  36. ^ Lieb, David A. (December 21, 2001). "State budget outlook called bleak". The Southeast Missourian. pp. 4A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  37. ^ Lieb, David A. (January 28, 2002). "Holden proposing Medicaid cuts". The Southeast Missourian. pp. 3A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  38. ^ Lieb, David A. (February 28, 2003). "Gov. Holden orders budget cuts for education". The Southeast Missourian. pp. 4A. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  39. ^ Lieb, David A. (June 17, 2003). "Budget negotiators press forward with state personnel cuts". The Nevada Daily Mail. p. 1. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  40. ^ a b Kelderman, Eric (April 21, 2004). "Can Missouri's Governor Holden Hang On?". Stateline. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  41. ^ Lieb, David A. (February 19, 2003). "House committee votes for more than $100 million in education cuts". The Nevada Daily Mail. p. 5. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  42. ^ Robertson, David Brian (October 5, 2004). "Bellwether Politics in Missouri". The Forum. 2 (3): 8. doi:10.2202/1540-8884.1052. ISSN 1540-8884 – via DeGruyter. While Holden sought tax increases to avoid painful budget cuts, Republican legislative leaders, emboldened by their new majorities, defeated his efforts and undercut his leadership.
  43. ^ "Holden joins Medicaid task force". www.bizjournals.com. March 27, 2003. Archived from the original on April 25, 2003. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  44. ^ "Holden to seek re-election". March 10, 2003. Archived from the original on February 23, 2005. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  45. ^ Taylor, Betsy (October 21, 2003). "McCaskill triggers 2004 primary race for governor". The Nevada Daily Mail. p. 1. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  46. ^ The Associated Press State & Local Wire; July 18, 2003; BC cycle; Missouri's Democratic governor facing opposition in own party David A. Lieb, Associated Press Writer.
  47. ^ Robertson, David Brian (October 5, 2004). "Bellwether Politics in Missouri". The Forum. 2 (3): 8. doi:10.2202/1540-8884.1052. ISSN 1540-8884 – via DeGruyer. ...Democratic governor Bob Holden became the first incumbent governor ever defeated in a primary election in Missouri and the first in the United States since 1994.
  48. ^ Ward, Ben (January 19, 2020). "Our Team | usheartlandchina.org".
  49. ^ "About the Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University". Archived from the original on September 2, 2006.
  50. ^ Moore, Doug (February 4, 2016). "Former Missouri Gov. Holden appointed to state NAACP's executive committee". The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  51. ^ Conaway, Josh (March 8, 2020). "Former Governor Bob Holden Stumps for Joe Biden Ahead of Missouri Primary". KSMU Radio. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  52. ^ "Former MO Governor Bob Holden Endorses Clinton". Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  53. ^ "MO Governor Race - Nov 07, 2000". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  54. ^ "Official Election Returns - November 7, 2000 General Election". Sos.mo.gov. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  55. ^ "Statewide Races". Archived from the original on May 14, 2011.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bob Holden.
Political offices
Preceded by Missouri State Treasurer
January 11, 1993 – January 8, 2001 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of Missouri
January 8, 2001 – January 10, 2005 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for State Treasurer of Missouri
1988, 1992, 1996 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Democratic Party nominee for Governor of Missouri
2000 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former Governor Order of precedence of the United States Succeeded byas Former Governor
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