Mel Carnahan
On November 4, 1998, Carnahan announced his plan to run again incumbent Senator John Ashcroft for his senate seat in 2000. It had been said that neither man liked each other. The campaign became heated and intense, becoming one of the most focused election races in the nation. Carnahan was attacked for his actions as governor, and for other incidents, such as photos of him performing in blackface in 1960. In October, Carnahan was losing to Ashcroft in the polls.