June 22, 1996:
Rep. Bill Emerson dies from complications due to lung cancer. The eight-term Missouri Republican was 58.
He will be succeeded in the November election by his wife, Jo Ann, but it won't be easy. She will be forced to run as an independent because state election officials refused to extend the filing deadline for candidates. Meanwhile, Richard Kline, a political nonentity, had already been on the ballot when Emerson died and thus won the August Republican primary to become the GOP nominee.
But state and national Republican officials will back the campaign of Mrs. Emerson, who still serves.
For the record, Bill Emerson was a great guy and a good friend.
Today in Campaign History is a daily feature on Political Junkie.
categories: Today In Campaign History
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