Jay Nixon
Jay Nixon 55th Governor of Missouri Incumbent Assumed office January 12, 2009 Lieutenant Peter Kinder Preceded by Matt Blunt 40th Attorney General of Missouri In office January 11, 1993 – January 12, 2009 Governor Mel Carnahan (1993-2000) Roger B. Wilson (2000-2001) Bob Holden (2001-2003) Matt Blunt (2005-2009) Preceded by William Webster Succeeded by Chris Koster Member of the Missouri State Senate In office 1987–1993 Personal details Born Jeremiah Wilson Nixon (1956-02-13) February 13, 1956 (age 59) De Soto, Missouri, U.S. Political party Democratic Spouse(s) Georganne Nixon Children Jeremiah Will Residence Governors Mansion Alma mater University of Missouri, Columbia Religion United Methodism Website Official website Campaign website Jeremiah Wilson "Jay" Nixon (born February 13, 1956) is an American politician who is the 55th and current Governor of Missouri. A member of the Democratic Party, Jay Nixon was first elected Governor in 2008. Born in De Soto, Missouri, Jay Nixon is a graduate of University of Missouri School of Law. Beginning a career in private practice, Nixon was elected to the Missouri State Senate in 1986. In 1988, after two years in the state senate, Nixon ran for the United States Senate; posing a challenge to incumbent Republican Senator John Danforth. Nixon lost in the general election with 32% of the vote, to Danforth's 68%. He served in the state senate until he was elected Attorney General of Missouri in 1992. In the 1998 U.S. Senate election, Nixon lost to incumbent Kit Bond 53—44%. In 2008, after incumbent Republican Governor Matt Blunt announced he would not seek re-election, Nixon declared his candidacy for Governor of Missouri, won the Democratic primary, and faced Representative Kenny Hulshof in the general election. On November 4, 2008, Nixon defeated Hulshof and was elected Governor. Nixon was sworn in on January 12, 2009. He was reelected in 2012 and began his second term in January 2013.