Matt Blunt

Matthew Roy Blunt (born November 20,1970) was elected Governor of Missouri on November 2, 2004.

He is the son of House Majority Whip Roy Blunt. After graduating from high school, Blunt was accepted into the United States Naval Academy where he received a bachelor's degree in history. Prior to serving in public office, Blunt was an officer in the United States Navy. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, he was called into active military service. After completing a six month tour of duty in Operation Enduring Freedom, he returned to complete his term as Secretary of State (see below). He continues to serve in the naval reserves.

Blunt is a member of the State Historical Society of Missouri, the American Legion, and the Missouri Farm Bureau. He and his wife, Melanie, were married in May, 1997. Their son, William Branch Blunt was born on March 9, 2005.

In 1998, Blunt was elected as a Republican to the Missouri House of Representatives to represent the 139th legislative district for a single two-year term. In 2000, he was elected Missouri Secretary of State.

On November 2, 2004, he defeated Claire McCaskill and was elected Governor of Missouri. At the age of 33, this made him the second youngest person ever elected to that office after Kit Bond.

The start of his first term as Governor has been marked by controversy over the state budget he proposed, and the legislature passed. Particularly controversial were provisions eliminating the state's First Steps program and cutting to the state's Medicaid program. After a large lobbying effort by supporters of the First Steps program, it was restored to the budget before the final version was passed.

External links

• Governor's office Website