Joan Marie Finney (née McInroy; February 12, 1925 – July 28, 2001) was an American politician who served as the 42nd governor of Kansas from 1991 to 1995. Prior to her tenure as governor, Finney served four terms as the Kansas state treasurer from 1975 to 1991. Finney was the first woman to hold either office.[1]
Finney was born Joan Marie McInroy in Topeka, Kansas. She was the daughter of Leonard and Mary Sands McInroy. Her father abandoned the family shortly after her birth.[2] McInroy graduated from high school in Manhattan, Kansas in 1942.[3] In 1957, she married Spencer Finney, Jr. The Finneys had three children: Sarah "Sally" Finney Timm, Richard Finney, and Mary Finney Holladay.[citation needed] In 1978, Finney graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor's degree in economic history.[3]
In addition to being the State of Kansas's first female governor, Finney was the first Roman Catholic governor of Kansas. She was known for her pro-Native American stances and was one of the few anti-abortion Democratic governors of her time.[3]
Finney served only one term as governor, retiring after the 1994 election.[3]
Post-governorshipedit
In 1996, Finney ran for United States Senate. She was defeated in the Democratic primary by Jill Docking,[3] who gained 74% of the primary vote, and subsequently lost the general election to Sam Brownback.
Finney died in 2001 from complications of liver cancer at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. She is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Topeka.[4]
joan, finney, joan, marie, finney, née, mcinroy, february, 1925, july, 2001, american, politician, served, 42nd, governor, kansas, from, 1991, 1995, prior, tenure, governor, finney, served, four, terms, kansas, state, treasurer, from, 1975, 1991, finney, first. Joan Marie Finney nee McInroy February 12 1925 July 28 2001 was an American politician who served as the 42nd governor of Kansas from 1991 to 1995 Prior to her tenure as governor Finney served four terms as the Kansas state treasurer from 1975 to 1991 Finney was the first woman to hold either office 1 Joan Finney42nd Governor of KansasIn office January 14 1991 January 9 1995LieutenantJim FranciscoPreceded byMike HaydenSucceeded byBill Graves33rd Kansas State TreasurerIn office January 6 1975 January 14 1991GovernorRobert Frederick BennettJohn W CarlinMike HaydenPreceded byTom Van SickleSucceeded bySally ThompsonPersonal detailsBorn 1925 02 12 February 12 1925Topeka Kansas U S DiedJuly 28 2001 2001 07 28 aged 76 Topeka Kansas U S Political partyRepublican Before 1974 Democratic 1974 2001 SpouseSpencer FinneyEducationWashburn University BA Contents 1 Early life 2 Early political career 3 Governorship 4 Post governorship 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksEarly life editFinney was born Joan Marie McInroy in Topeka Kansas She was the daughter of Leonard and Mary Sands McInroy Her father abandoned the family shortly after her birth 2 McInroy graduated from high school in Manhattan Kansas in 1942 3 In 1957 she married Spencer Finney Jr The Finneys had three children Sarah Sally Finney Timm Richard Finney and Mary Finney Holladay citation needed In 1978 Finney graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor s degree in economic history 3 Early political career editFrom 1953 to 1969 Finney served on the staff of Republican U S Senator Frank Carlson From 1970 to 1972 she served as Commissioner of Elections for Shawnee County Kansas In 1972 she was an unsuccessful candidate in the Republican primary for a U S House seat in Kansas s 2nd congressional district She also served as a special assistant to Topeka Mayor Bill McCormick from 1973 to 1974 4 After switching her political affiliation from Republican to Democrat Finney served as Kansas State Treasurer from 1975 to 1991 She was the first woman to hold that position 3 Governorship editIn the 1990 Democratic primary for governor of Kansas Finney upset former Governor John W Carlin She then went on to defeat incumbent Republican Mike Hayden in the general election becoming the first woman in U S history to defeat an incumbent governor in a general election 3 In addition to being the State of Kansas s first female governor Finney was the first Roman Catholic governor of Kansas She was known for her pro Native American stances and was one of the few anti abortion Democratic governors of her time 3 Finney served only one term as governor retiring after the 1994 election 3 Post governorship editIn 1996 Finney ran for United States Senate She was defeated in the Democratic primary by Jill Docking 3 who gained 74 of the primary vote and subsequently lost the general election to Sam Brownback Finney died in 2001 from complications of liver cancer at St Francis Hospital in Topeka She is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Topeka 4 See also editList of female governors in the United StatesReferences edit Joan Finney kshs org Retrieved March 22 2019 Joan Finney www nndb com Retrieved September 17 2018 a b c d e f g Demuth Gary March 18 2017 Women in History Joan Finney Salina Journal a b Myers By Roger Trailblazer did it her way CJOnline com cjonline com Archived from the original on August 1 2001 Retrieved April 18 2017 External links editJoan Finney at Find a Grave Publications concerning Kansas Governor Finney s administration available via the KGI Online Library Appearances on C SPANPolitical officesPreceded byTom Van Sickle Treasurer of Kansas1975 1991 Succeeded bySally ThompsonPreceded byMike Hayden Governor of Kansas1991 1995 Succeeded byBill GravesParty political officesPreceded byMarjorie L Taylor Democratic nominee for Treasurer of Kansas1974 1976 1978 1982 1986 Succeeded bySally ThompsonPreceded byThomas Docking Democratic nominee for Governor of Kansas1990 Succeeded byJim Slattery Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Joan Finney amp oldid 1170922338, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
