Wendell Bailey
Encyclopedia
R. Wendell Bailey is an American politician from Missouri
. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University
with a degree in Business Administration and owned an automobile dealership in Willow Springs.
After serving as mayor of his native Willow Springs, Bailey was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives
in 1972 and re-elected in 1974, 1976, and 1978. In 1980, Bailey was elected to the United States House of Representatives
, but after the 1980 census Missouri lost one congressional district, and Bailey's district was eliminated. Rather than retire, in 1982 Bailey ran against Congressman Ike Skelton
, and—although he was defeated—Bailey ran reasonably well considering that most of the new district had previously been represented by Skelton. In 1984 Bailey made a comeback and was elected Missouri State Treasurer; he was narrowly re-elected to this office in 1988 over future Missouri Governor Bob Holden
. In 1992 Bailey made an unsuccessful bid for Governor of Missouri, finishing third in the Republican primary behind then-Attorney General William L. Webster
(who won the nomination) and then-Secretary of State Roy Blunt
. Bailey cast himself as the only pro-choice candidate in the 1992 GOP governor's primary, whereas Webster and Blunt were both clearly pro-life.
Bailey narrowly lost the Republican primary for a seat in the Missouri Senate in 1996, but in 2000 Bailey captured the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor, although he was defeated by Democrat Joe Maxwell
in the general election. In January 2006, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
reported that Bailey was working for the Small Business Administration
in Kansas City, Missouri
.
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University
Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
with a degree in Business Administration and owned an automobile dealership in Willow Springs.
After serving as mayor of his native Willow Springs, Bailey was elected to 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...
in 1972 and re-elected in 1974, 1976, and 1978. In 1980, Bailey was elected to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, but after the 1980 census Missouri lost one congressional district, and Bailey's district was eliminated. Rather than retire, in 1982 Bailey ran against Congressman Ike Skelton
Ike Skelton
Isaac Newton "Ike" Skelton IV is the former U.S. Representative for . During his tenure, he has served as the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a member for the Democratic Party...
, and—although he was defeated—Bailey ran reasonably well considering that most of the new district had previously been represented by Skelton. In 1984 Bailey made a comeback and was elected Missouri State Treasurer; he was narrowly re-elected to this office in 1988 over future Missouri Governor Bob Holden
Bob Holden
Robert Lee "Bob" Holden, Jr. is an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 53rd Governor of Missouri.-Early life:...
. In 1992 Bailey made an unsuccessful bid for Governor of Missouri, finishing third in the Republican primary behind then-Attorney General William L. Webster
William L. Webster
William L. Webster is a former American politician and convicted felon from Missouri.-Early life and career:William Webster is the son of the late Richard M. Webster, who was a prominent Missouri State Senator and Janet Webster. Webster was born and raised in Carthage, Missouri and was a graduate...
(who won the nomination) and then-Secretary of State Roy Blunt
Roy Blunt
Roy D. Blunt is the junior United States Senator from Missouri. He is a member of the Republican Party. His Senate seat was previously held by Republican Kit Bond, until his retirement....
. Bailey cast himself as the only pro-choice candidate in the 1992 GOP governor's primary, whereas Webster and Blunt were both clearly pro-life.
Bailey narrowly lost the Republican primary for a seat in the Missouri Senate in 1996, but in 2000 Bailey captured the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor, although he was defeated by Democrat Joe Maxwell
Joe Maxwell
Joe Maxwell is an American attorney and former Lieutenant Governor for the state of Missouri. He is a Democrat who also served in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate.-Personal history:...
in the general election. In January 2006, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is the major city-wide newspaper in St. Louis, Missouri. Although written to serve Greater St. Louis, the Post-Dispatch is one of the largest newspapers in the Midwestern United States, and is available and read as far west as Kansas City, Missouri, as far south as...
reported that Bailey was working for the Small Business Administration
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...
in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
.