John Ashcroft

John Ashcroft was the 79th Attorney General of the United States. While serving as Attorney General Ashcroft strongly supported the enactment of the Patriot Act.CNN: Ashcroft-Patriot Act He also effectuated questionable policy changes on the Department of Justice's position regarding the Freedom of Information Act. SF Gate: Ashcroft Censor of Freedom of Information (January 6, 2002) Upon George W. Bush's reelection as president in 2004, he resigned and began a consulting firm known as The Ashford Group, LLC.

John Ashcroft began his political career serving as the State Auditor for Missouri. He was elected as Missouri's Attorney General in 1976 and served in this capacity until 1985. Biographical Directory of United States Congress: John Ashcroft Senate Biography

Ashcroft spent 8 years as the Governor of Missouri before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994. Ashcroft sought a second term in the Senate and was defeated posthumously by Mel Carnahan. His wife Jean Carnahan was awarded his Senate seat by the Governor of Missouri.BBC News: John Ashcroft Profile (January 16, 2001) This unlikely turn of events led to John Ashcroft being confirmed as the United States Attorney General under President George W. Bush.

John Ashcroft's 2001 confirmation as the U.S. Attorney General was extremely controversial as shown by the narrow vote margin of 58-42. U.S. Senate: Legislation and Records He resigned from his position on November 9, 2004.CNN: Cabinet Resignations (November 10, 2004)

• May 9, 1942: Born in Chicago Illinois

• 1964: Graduated from Yale University

• 1967: Graduated from University of Chicago Law School

• 1967: Admitted to Illinois State Bar Association

• 1972: Ran for House of Representatives (lost)

• 1973-75: Served as State Auditor of Missouri

• 1976-85: Elected as Missouri state attorney general (served two terms)

• 1985-93: Governor of Missouri (served two terms)

• 1989-90: Chairman of the Republican Governor's Association

• 1991-92: Chairman of the National Governor's Association

• 1994: Elected to United States Senate

• 1998: Published- Lessons From a Father to his Son

• 2000: Lost senate seat to Mel Carnahan

• 2001: Published-On My Honor: The Beliefs that Shape My Life

• 2001: Appointed Attorney General of the United States

• 2004: Hospitalized with gallstone pancreatitis

• 2005: Resigned from Attorney General position

• 2005: Opened The Ashcroft Group, LLC

• 2006: Published- Never Again: Securing America and Restoring Justice