Former Gov. Matt Blunt’s official portrait unveiled at Missouri Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The official portrait of former Gov. Matt Blunt was unveiled Friday at the Capitol.
The portrait display of the 54th governor of Missouri will join the other former governor portraits in the state museum, located on the first floor of the building.
While the portrait's unveiling was delayed -- which Blunt took blame for -- the former governor said it was a honor to continue the tradition.
"Traditions of the state matter and its important to memorialize not just a person but really a time in our states past,” Blunt said.
The event had an assortment of guests including Gov. Mike Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, former Sen. Roy Blunt and the Blunt family with the exception of Melanie Blunt.
“We actually rescheduled this so she could be here. But shockingly to us, she had a mild stroke a few weeks ago. But she's doing well," Matt Blunt told the crowd.
Blunt, a Republican, served one term as governor from 2005-09. He decided not to seek reelection. Before his term as governor, he had served as Secretary of State. He was preceded by Democratic former Gov. Bob Holden and was followed by Democratic former Gov. Jay Nixon.
During his time as governor he increased state funding for Missouri's public schools and higher-education institutions, according to the National Governors Association, along with a new approach to economic development to increase jobs.
