Pat Dougherty
Encyclopedia
Patrick Dougherty is an American Democratic
politician. Due to term limits, he retired from political life in 2007 after nearly 30 years of service in the Missouri General Assembly.
. He attended Quincy College and graduated with a BA
degree and also attended Kenrick Theological Seminary. Prior to entering politics, he was a caseworker for the Department of Family Services.
. He challenged John Blassie, a 12-year incumbent, and defeated him in the Democratic primary
. Dougherty went on to win the general election
. Dougherty won re-election eleven times, serving in the House until 2001.
In 2001, Dougherty was the Democratic nominee in a special election to fill the State Senate seat vacated by Lacy Clay when Clay was elected to Congress in November 2000. Dougherty won the election with nearly 84% of the vote. Upon his election to the Senate, Dougherty resigned his seat in the Missouri House of Representatives
. He was succeeded by Mike Daus.
In 2002, Dougherty sought election to a full term in the State Senate. He was opposed by State Representative O.L. Shelton in the Democratic primary. Dougherty defeated Shelton in the primary election, and was unopposed in the general election.
During his career in the Missouri House and Senate, Dougherty, a former social worker, has focused on issues impacting families and children. When the Democrats controlled the Missouri House, Dougherty served as chair of the Children, Youth and Families Committee.
Due to term limits Doughtery was unable to run for re-election in 2006. Jeff Smith
won a heavily contested Democratic primary to replace Dougherty.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician. Due to term limits, he retired from political life in 2007 after nearly 30 years of service in the Missouri General Assembly.
Education and background
Patrick Dougherty was born in Decatur, IllinoisDecatur, Illinois
Decatur is the largest city and the county seat of Macon County in the U.S. state of Illinois. The city, sometimes called "the Soybean Capital of the World", was founded in 1823 and is located along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. In 2000 the city population was 81,500,...
. He attended Quincy College and graduated with a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree and also attended Kenrick Theological Seminary. Prior to entering politics, he was a caseworker for the Department of Family Services.
Political career
In 1978, Dougherty ran for State Representative in a South St. Louis district close to Tower Grove ParkTower Grove Park
Tower Grove Park is a municipal park in the City of St. Louis, Missouri. Most of its land was donated to the city by Henry Shaw in 1868. It is on 289 acres adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Garden, another of Shaw’s legacies. It extends 1.6 miles from west to east, between Kingshighway...
. He challenged John Blassie, a 12-year incumbent, and defeated him in the Democratic primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
. Dougherty went on to win the general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
. Dougherty won re-election eleven times, serving in the House until 2001.
In 2001, Dougherty was the Democratic nominee in a special election to fill the State Senate seat vacated by Lacy Clay when Clay was elected to Congress in November 2000. Dougherty won the election with nearly 84% of the vote. Upon his election to the Senate, Dougherty resigned his seat in the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
. He was succeeded by Mike Daus.
In 2002, Dougherty sought election to a full term in the State Senate. He was opposed by State Representative O.L. Shelton in the Democratic primary. Dougherty defeated Shelton in the primary election, and was unopposed in the general election.
During his career in the Missouri House and Senate, Dougherty, a former social worker, has focused on issues impacting families and children. When the Democrats controlled the Missouri House, Dougherty served as chair of the Children, Youth and Families Committee.
Due to term limits Doughtery was unable to run for re-election in 2006. Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith (American politician)
Jeff Smith is a former Democratic member of the Missouri Senate, representing the 4th district from 2007 until 2009. His district covered the western portion of the City of St. Louis. On August 25, 2009 he pled guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice and resigned his seat...
won a heavily contested Democratic primary to replace Dougherty.