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 In 1996, John Ashcroft set a high standard when he was honored as the Center’s first Distinguished Christian Statesman (then called Christian Statesman of the Year). Here is a brief look at a man whose public and private life has clearly exemplified the ideals of Christian statesmanship.
For a man who cares deeply about issues of family and faith, it was a most poignant way to launch a career in the United States Senate—with his ailing father kneeling by his side, praying for a spirit of humility for his son.
John Ashcroft’s father died the next day. But his father’s legacy of faithfulness to both God and country is being carried on by one of Missouri’s favorite sons.
Born in Springfield, Missouri, Ashcroft twice served his state as governor, following earlier stints as attorney general and state auditor. Financial World and City and State magazines credited then-Gov. Ashcroft with helping Missouri become one of the five best financially managed states in the country. Fortune magazine rated him as one of the top ten governors in the nation.
In 1994, he was elected to the U.S. Senate with nearly 60 percent of the vote. He immediately spearheaded legislative work on term limits, prompting the first Senate vote on term limits in 50 years. Sen. Ashcroft also authored major legislative proposals to reform welfare, toughen laws on violent crime, overhaul telecommunications policy, modernize labor laws to support families, and provide Americans with tax relief. He was also one of the first senators to establish a homepage on the Internet.
In addition, throughout his public life Sen. Ashcroft has been a strong defender of the right to life and the traditional family. He has said that “confronting our cultural crisis is the true test of our courage and the true measure of our leadership.”
In 2000, Sen. Ashcroft lost a closely contested Senate re-election bid to the late Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan. Even in defeat, Ashcroft exhibited the hallmarks of a Christian statesman. He flatly rejected partisan calls for a legal challenge of the tightly contested vote and added that he hoped the election results would be a “matter of comfort” for the Carnahan family.
John and his wife, Janet, have three children and are active in the Assemblies of God church.
Back to Disginguished Christian Statesman Award Page
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