William L. Webster
Encyclopedia
William L. Webster is a former American politician and convicted felon from Missouri
.
, who was a prominent Missouri State Senator and Janet Webster. Webster was born and raised in Carthage, Missouri
and was a graduate of Carthage Senior High School
. He attended Missouri Southern State College
and the University of Kansas
. He received his law degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City
.
After earning his law degree, Webster worked as an attorney in private practice in Joplin, Missouri
. He married the former Susan Tiemann of Kansas City and they have three sons.
in 1980 and re-elected in 1982. He was recognized as the outstanding first term representative by the Missouri Times in 1981 and in 1983 his colleagues recognized him as one of three outstanding members of the House of Representatives.
In 1984, at the age of 31, he was elected as Attorney General
of Missouri
, succeeding John Ashcroft
. Webster was the youngest person to serve in that position since Robert Franklin Walker was elected as attorney general in 1892, also at the age of 31. Webster was re-elected in 1988.
Webster was the defendant
of record in the Webster v. Reproductive Health Services
case before the United States Supreme Court in 1989. The court ultimately decided in favor of Webster, representing the state of Missouri.
In 1992 Webster was the Republican nominee for Governor of Missouri, after defeating Roy Blunt
and Wendell Bailey
in the Republican Primary. The campaign for governor was marked by allegations of corruption relating to a state workers compensation fund that Webster managed as attorney general. Amidst the scandal, Webster lost the general election to Democrat Mel Carnahan
by a wide margin.
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...
.
Early life and career
William Webster is the son of the late Richard M. WebsterRichard M. Webster
Richard M. "Dick" Webster was an American politician from Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri and worked as an attorney in Carthage. He was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, in 1948, 1950, and 1953 . He served as Speaker of the House in 1954...
, who was a prominent Missouri State Senator and Janet Webster. Webster was born and raised in Carthage, Missouri
Carthage, Missouri
Carthage is a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. The population was 14,378 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jasper County and is nicknamed "America's Maple Leaf City."...
and was a graduate of Carthage Senior High School
Carthage Senior High School (Missouri)
Carthage Senior High SchoolCurrent PrincipalKandy FrazierSchool typePublicReligious affiliationNoneFounded1848Opened1904 LocationCarthage, Missouri USAEnrollment1227FacultyXxxMascotTigerSchool colors...
. He attended Missouri Southern State College
Missouri Southern State University
Missouri Southern State University is a public, state university located in Joplin, Missouri. Missouri Southern State University was formerly Missouri Southern State College and is also known as Missouri Southern, MSSU, or MoSo for short. Established in 1937 as Joplin Junior College, Missouri...
and the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
. He received his law degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City
University of Missouri–Kansas City
The University of Missouri–Kansas City is a public university located in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. It is a branch of the University of Missouri System. Its main campus is in Kansas City's Rockhill neighborhood east of the Country Club Plaza...
.
After earning his law degree, Webster worked as an attorney in private practice in Joplin, Missouri
Joplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County in the southwestern corner of the US state of Missouri. Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County, though it is not the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 50,150...
. He married the former Susan Tiemann of Kansas City and they have three sons.
Political career
Webster was elected to Missouri House of RepresentativesMissouri 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 1980 and re-elected in 1982. He was recognized as the outstanding first term representative by the Missouri Times in 1981 and in 1983 his colleagues recognized him as one of three outstanding members of the House of Representatives.
In 1984, at the age of 31, he was elected as Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of 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...
, succeeding John Ashcroft
John Ashcroft
John David Ashcroft is a United States politician who served as the 79th United States Attorney General, from 2001 until 2005, appointed by President George W. Bush. Ashcroft previously served as the 50th Governor of Missouri and a U.S...
. Webster was the youngest person to serve in that position since Robert Franklin Walker was elected as attorney general in 1892, also at the age of 31. Webster was re-elected in 1988.
Webster was the defendant
Defendant
A defendant or defender is any party who is required to answer the complaint of a plaintiff or pursuer in a civil lawsuit before a court, or any party who has been formally charged or accused of violating a criminal statute...
of record in the Webster v. Reproductive Health Services
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, 492 U.S. 490 , was a United States Supreme Court decision on July 3, 1989 upholding a Missouri law that imposed restrictions on the use of state funds, facilities, and employees in performing, assisting with, or counseling on abortions...
case before the United States Supreme Court in 1989. The court ultimately decided in favor of Webster, representing the state of Missouri.
In 1992 Webster was the Republican nominee for Governor of Missouri, after defeating 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....
and Wendell Bailey
Wendell Bailey
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....
in the Republican Primary. The campaign for governor was marked by allegations of corruption relating to a state workers compensation fund that Webster managed as attorney general. Amidst the scandal, Webster lost the general election to Democrat Mel Carnahan
Mel Carnahan
Melvin Eugene "Mel" Carnahan was an American politician. A Democrat, he served as the 51st Governor of Missouri from 1993 to 2000. He died in a plane crash on the Pevely and Hillsboro, Missouri border during a campaign for the U.S...
by a wide margin.