New Democrats were shocked and saddened to hear that Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, 66, died Oct. 17, along with one of his sons and a campaign adviser, in a plane crash while campaigning for the U.S. Senate.

Carnahan's long and successful career in public life included service as a municipal judge, a state legislative leader, state treasurer, lieutenant governor, and two terms as one of Missouri's most popular governors. His administration was full of major policy landmarks, including Missouri's first comprehensive economic development plan, a thorough-going education reform effort, and an impressive welfare-to-work initiative. The Democratic Leadership Council has often touted Carnahan's "Show Me Results" program as a national model for performance-based governance.

The son of a Missouri congressman, Carnahan was a graduate of Washington's Anacostia High and George Washington University. His name remained on Missouri's Senate ballot in spite of his death, and on Nov. 7 the state's voters elected him to the office posthumously. Gov. Roger Wilson had said he would name Carnahan's wife, Jean, to take her husband's place if won.

We regret that Carnahan was unable to return to Washington as an important addition to the ranks of New Democrat senators. But his state's bright future and his wife's service in the office he won will be a living monument to the uncommon wisdom of this commonsense leader.

-- Ed Kilgore