While Carnahan faced an equally formidable foe in Ashcroft, his death is a severe blow at a critical time. For national Democrats, Carnahan s death signals the likely end of their hopes to regain control of the Senate, where the GOP currently holds a 54-46 edge. While 34 races were contested, only a handful of those races were considered close. According to The Washington Post, most analysts felt that the Democrats would have to win Missouri in order to cobble together a majority. In the wake of Carnahan s death, much has been made of his political courage, a phrase that refers to controversial stands on his gubernatorial r sum .
Education is a perfect example.
Asked what Carnahan s legacy will be, new Gov. Roger Wilson, a fellow Democrat, was unequivocal. We were not in good shape, and a stout effort that was politically painful was taken, and it showed great dividends. Wilson was referring to the Outstanding Schools Act, a bill pushed through the legislature in 1993 after a court declared Missouri s education funding formula unconstitutional. The bill reworked the formula and provided a wealth of new money for schools. Educators still count it as a landmark in the history of public school funding.