Bill Graves
Bill Graves | |
|---|---|
| 43rd Governor of Kansas | |
| In office January 9, 1995 – January 13, 2003 | |
| Lieutenant | Sheila Frahm Gary Sherrer |
| Preceded by | Joan Finney |
| Succeeded by | Kathleen Sebelius |
| 28th Secretary of State of Kansas | |
| In office January 12, 1987 – January 9, 1995 | |
| Governor | Mike Hayden Joan Finney |
| Preceded by | Jack Brier |
| Succeeded by | Ron Thornburgh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Preston Graves January 9, 1953 Salina, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Linda Richey (m. 1990) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Kansas Wesleyan University (BA) |
William Preston Graves (born January 9, 1953) is an American former politician who was the 43rd governor of Kansas from 1995 until 2003.
Career
Graves was born in Salina, Kansas, to parents who owned a trucking firm. After graduating from Kansas Wesleyan University with a business degree, he worked in human resources. In 1986, 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. In 1997 Graves was the Chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association.
He won re-election in 1998. 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 became president of the American Trucking Associations.[1]
In the 2018 race for governor, Graves endorsed Democratic candidate and eventual winner Laura Kelly over Republican Kris Kobach.[2]
Personal life
Bill Graves married Linda Richey in 1990,[3] and they have one daughter.
References
- ^ American Trucking Associations Archived January 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Woodall, Hunter (September 4, 2018). "Former GOP governor of Kansas endorses Democrat Laura Kelly over Kris Kobach". Kansas City Star. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ Adams, DiAnna. "The State of Kansas Governor Bill Graves: First Lady's Biography". Archived from the original on November 7, 2002.