Carnahan beats out Hanaway

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- At least one leader of the Missouri legislature failed in an effort to move to higher office Tuesday.

Republican House Speaker Catherine Hanaway conceded defeat in the secretary of state's race Tuesday evening to Democrat Robin Carnahan, daughter of the late-Gov. Mel Carnahan and former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan. In early, unofficial returns, Carnahan was leading Hanaway 53 percent to 45 percent, with about 47 percent of precincts in.

Hanaway, speaking from the Frontenac Hilton in west St. Louis County, thanked her supporters "for your confidence in me and all that you do."

She said she called Carnahan and congratulated her on being Missouri's next secretary of state: "I told her I knew it was an important job."

Carnahan, who will be the state's chief elections official, said she was proud so many people voted.

Farther down the ticket, Missouri voters also chose the next treasurer and attorney general.

Republican state Sen. Sarah Steelman led Democrat Mark Powell, the mayor of Arnold, 51 to 46 percent with 67 percent of precincts reporting.

The only incumbent among all those races was Democrat Jay Nixon, won over Republican newcomer Chris Byrd, grabbing 59 percent of the vote with 63 percent of precincts in, in pursuit of re-election to a fourth term as attorney general.