Secretary of State Robin Carnahan
In Missouri, the name Carnahan long has been associated with public service. Robin Carnahan continues that family tradition, serving as Missouri Secretary of State.
Carnahan grew up in Rolla, Missouri. After graduating from Rolla High School, she headed to William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri earning a degree, with honors, in Economics. Her education continued at the University of Virginia School of Law where she served as Executive Editor of the Virginia Journal of International Law before receiving her law degree in 1986. She returned to Missouri and began practicing law with the St. Louis law firm of Thompson & Mitchell. During her time at the firm, Carnahan focused on business and corporate law, interacting regularly with the Secretary of State's office.In 1990, as the people of central and eastern Europe began throwing out their oppressive Soviet-backed governments, Carnahan went to work to help rebuild their democracies and their economies. As part of a team from the National Democratic Institute, she helped re-write voting laws, train new political leaders and monitor elections in Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Since then she has worked in six countries to promote democracy and free elections. This unique experience has strengthened Carnahan's commitment to ensuring Missouri's elections are conducted in a way that is fair and accessible to all our citizens.
Carnahan's credentials for the office of Secretary of State are further strengthened by her experience as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. At the bank, Carnahan worked on innovative ways to help American companies increase the sale of their goods and services to buyers around the world.
Currently, Carnahan runs her own consulting business and manages her family's 800 acre farm and angus cattle operation outside of Rolla. Operating a small business herself, Carnahan recognizes the demands facing small business owners and she understands the importance of making the Secretary of State's office a place that makes it easy for businesses to get started…and keep going.
Carnahan, a fifth generation Missourian, comes from a family long devoted to public service. Her father, Mel Carnahan served as Missouri's State Treasurer, Lt. Governor and Governor. Her mother, Jean Carnahan served as Missouri's United States Senator. And her grandfather, ASJ Carnahan served as Congressman from south-central Missouri and U.S. Ambassador, appointed by President John F. Kennedy.
