Mo.: Democratic Governor Reelected

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AllPolitics, Nov. 5) -- Democrat Mel Carnahan swept to his second term as Missouri's governor, easily beating his Republican challenger, state auditor Masrgaret Kelly, CNN projects.

No governor in Missouri has been elected to a second term in more than a generation.

Carnahan rode to victory on an education tax increase he backed, while Kelly focused her campaign on criticism of the $310 million package that Carnahan signed in 1993. Carnahan called the election a referendum on that package.

"It's very gratifying that the record I've built has been taken out to the voters and been well received," Carnahan said. "I appreciate that and look forward to carrying on the work -- particularly in education."

Exit polls showed that voters backed Carnahan's education effort in roughly the same numbers that they voted for his re-election.

Kelly campaigned for only six weeks prior to the election, promising a $640 million tax cut funded by a two-year state spending freeze. But she trailed Carnahan for the duration in both the polls and fund-raising.

Carnahan attacked Kelly's tax cut plan as irresponsible, and said it would eliminate essential services.

Kelly declined to concede the race based on exit poll projections, a spokesman said.

The polls also showed Carnahan ahead among voters who called themselves independent or said they backed Ross Perot. A majority of women voters backed Carnahan, the polls showed, and he led among all age groups.