Kit Bond

Kit Bond
Born	Christopher Samuel Bond March 6, 1939
Birthplace	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died	May 13, 2025 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	Governor of Missouri (47th and 49th), U.S. Senator from Missouri (1987–2011)
Education	University of Virginia (JD)
Children	1
Awards	State funeral (Missouri, 2025)

Christopher Samuel "Kit" Bond (March 6, 1939 – May 13, 2025) was an American attorney and politician who represented Missouri in public office for nearly four decades. A member of the Republican Party, Bond served as a United States Senator from Missouri from 1987 to 2011, following two non-consecutive terms as the 47th and 49th Governor of Missouri from 1973 to 1977 and 1981 to 1985. He also served as the 28th State Auditor of Missouri from 1971 to 1973. When first elected governor at the age of 33, Bond became the youngest person ever elected to Missouri's highest office, and his victory ended a 28-year streak of Democratic governors in the state. During his tenure in the U.S. Senate, Bond chaired the Senate Small Business Committee and served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He was elected to the Senate four times, winning his initial race in 1986 and subsequent re-elections in 1992, 1998, and 2004. After announcing in January 2009 that he would not seek a fifth term, Bond retired from the Senate on January 3, 2011, and was succeeded by fellow Republican Roy Blunt. He died on May 13, 2025, in St. Louis at the age of 86, and was honored with a state funeral at the Missouri Capitol.

Early Life

Christopher Samuel Bond was born on March 6, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri. His father was Arthur D. Bond. Bond grew up in Missouri and developed an early interest in public service and law. He was known throughout his life by the nickname "Kit," which became the name by which he was universally recognized in Missouri politics.

Bond came of age during a period of significant political change in Missouri, a state with a long tradition of Democratic dominance in statewide offices. His upbringing in St. Louis, one of Missouri's major urban centers, provided him with exposure to the political landscape of a state that straddled the cultural and geographic boundaries between the Midwest and the South.

Education

Bond attended Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then pursued legal studies at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. His education at two of the nation's prominent institutions provided the foundation for his subsequent career in law and politics. After completing his legal education, Bond returned to Missouri to begin his professional life.

Career

State Auditor (1971–1973)

Bond entered statewide politics in 1970 when he was elected as the 28th State Auditor of Missouri, taking office on January 11, 1971. He served in this capacity under Governor Warren E. Hearnes, succeeding Haskell Holman in the position. As state auditor, Bond was responsible for overseeing the financial operations of Missouri's state government, a role that gave him statewide visibility and a platform from which to launch his gubernatorial campaign. His tenure as auditor was relatively brief, lasting approximately two years before he moved to the governor's office. He was succeeded as auditor by John Ashcroft, who would go on to his own distinguished career in Missouri and national politics.

First Term as Governor (1973–1977)

In 1972, Bond ran for governor of Missouri and won, becoming at 33 years old the youngest person ever elected to the state's highest office. His election was historically significant: it ended a 28-year streak of Democratic governors in Missouri, a remarkable feat in a state where Republicans had been largely shut out of the governor's mansion since the mid-1940s. Bond took office on January 8, 1973, succeeding Warren E. Hearnes, with Bill Phelps serving as his lieutenant governor.

During his first term, Bond focused on state government modernization and other policy initiatives. His governorship represented a new generation of Republican leadership in Missouri politics. However, Bond's first tenure in the governor's office came to an end when he was defeated in his 1976 re-election bid by Democrat Joseph P. Teasdale, who succeeded him on January 10, 1977.

Second Term as Governor (1981–1985)

Bond mounted a political comeback in 1980, running again for governor and defeating the incumbent Joseph P. Teasdale. He took office for his second term on January 12, 1981, with Ken Rothman serving as his lieutenant governor. This made Bond the 49th Governor of Missouri, having previously served as the 47th.

Bond's second term allowed him to build on the experience gained during his first stint as governor and to implement a broader policy agenda. He served until January 14, 1985, when he was succeeded by John Ashcroft, his fellow Republican and former successor as state auditor. The transition from Bond to Ashcroft marked a period of sustained Republican control of the Missouri governor's office, a dramatic shift from the Democratic dominance that had preceded Bond's initial election in 1972.

One notable episode associated with Bond's gubernatorial tenure involved a moon rock. An Apollo 17 lunar sample that had been presented to the state of Missouri was reported missing from the Missouri State Museum. The rock was eventually uncovered in December 2010, generating media attention about the fate of lunar samples distributed to states during the Apollo program.

U.S. Senate (1987–2011)

Election to the Senate

In 1986, Bond was elected to the United States Senate, defeating Democratic nominee Harriett Woods by a margin of 53% to 47%. He succeeded retiring Democratic Senator Thomas Eagleton, taking office on January 3, 1987. Bond's Senate victory continued his pattern of success in statewide Missouri elections and marked a transition from executive to legislative service.

Bond was re-elected three additional times: in 1992, 1998, and 2004, each time securing his seat for another six-year term. His ability to win four consecutive Senate elections demonstrated his enduring appeal to Missouri voters across more than two decades of shifting political landscapes.

Committee Leadership

During his time in the Senate, Bond held several significant committee assignments. He served as Chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee during two periods. His first tenure as chair ran from January 4, 1995, to January 3, 2001, after Republicans gained the Senate majority in the 1994 elections. He succeeded Dale Bumpers in the chairmanship. Bond briefly held the chairmanship again from January 20, 2001, to June 6, 2001, before the shift in Senate control following the party switch of Senator Jim Jeffords returned John Kerry to the committee leadership.

Bond also served as Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, a position that placed him at the center of national security deliberations during a period that included the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks and subsequent intelligence reforms.

Legislative Priorities

Throughout his Senate career, Bond focused on a range of policy areas including small business development, housing policy, and infrastructure. His long tenure on the Small Business Committee positioned him as a leading Republican voice on issues affecting small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Bond was also involved in housing policy discussions. After leaving the Senate, this interest continued through his involvement with the Bipartisan Policy Center's housing initiatives.

Decision Not to Seek Re-election

On January 8, 2009, Bond announced that he would not seek re-election to a fifth term in the 2010 Senate elections. His decision opened up one of Missouri's Senate seats for the first time in 24 years. Bond served out the remainder of his term, departing the Senate on January 3, 2011. He was succeeded by Roy Blunt, a fellow Missouri Republican who won the 2010 election.

In 2008, prior to his retirement announcement, Bond was among the senators who publicly addressed whether they would consider serving as a vice presidential candidate, declining interest in such a role.

Post-Senate Career

Following his retirement from the Senate, Bond transitioned to the private sector. He became a partner at the law firm Thompson Coburn, based in St. Louis, where he continued to work on policy and legal matters.

Bond also joined alliantgroup, a tax services firm, as a senior adviser in 2011. Additionally, he established Kit Bond Strategies, a consulting firm through which he continued to engage in public policy advocacy and strategic advisory work.

Bond remained active in housing policy through his work with the Bipartisan Policy Center, contributing to bipartisan efforts to address the nation's housing challenges in the post–financial crisis era.

Personal Life

Christopher Samuel "Kit" Bond was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and maintained deep ties to the state throughout his life. He had one child. His father, Arthur D. Bond, was a prominent figure in Missouri.

Bond died on May 13, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 86. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe issued a statement following Bond's death, describing him as "a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose life's work was dedicated to serving Missouri." Governor Kehoe subsequently announced memorial services to honor Bond, including a state funeral.

Bond's funeral obituary noted his career of public service spanning from the early 1970s through his retirement from the Senate in 2011, followed by continued engagement in legal and policy work in the private sector.

Recognition

State Funeral

On May 21, 2025, mourners gathered at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City for a state funeral honoring Bond. Political leaders from across the state and the political spectrum attended the ceremony. Speakers at the funeral praised Bond as a bipartisan figure who prioritized Missouri's interests throughout his career. The service reflected the breadth of Bond's impact on Missouri politics over nearly four decades of public service.

Senate Resolution

On May 23, 2025, the United States Senate passed a resolution honoring Bond. The resolution was introduced by Missouri's two sitting Republican senators, Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, and was adopted by the full Senate. The resolution recognized Bond's decades of service to Missouri and the nation in roles ranging from state auditor to governor to United States Senator.

Media and Public Assessments

Following Bond's death, media organizations across Missouri and nationally published retrospectives on his career. St. Louis Public Radio described him as "a giant of the Missouri Republican Party" and "one of the most influential state Republicans of the modern era." The Missouri Independent noted his distinction as the youngest person ever elected governor of the state. Capitol correspondent assessments recalled Bond as a governor who left a lasting impression on Missouri's political landscape and who was remembered fondly by colleagues across party lines.

Legacy

Kit Bond's political career left a significant imprint on Missouri politics and the national Republican Party. His 1972 gubernatorial victory, which ended a 28-year Democratic hold on the Missouri governor's mansion, marked the beginning of a new era of Republican competitiveness in a state that had long been considered a Democratic stronghold for statewide offices. The subsequent election of John Ashcroft as his gubernatorial successor cemented a period of Republican governance that reshaped Missouri's political identity.

In the U.S. Senate, Bond's 24 years of service made him one of the longest-serving senators in Missouri history. His committee work, particularly on small business and intelligence matters, positioned him as an influential voice in policy areas of national significance. His retirement in 2011 and the election of Roy Blunt to succeed him maintained Republican control of the seat.

At his state funeral, Bond was eulogized as a figure who worked across partisan lines to advance Missouri's interests. Speakers described him as a practical legislator who focused on results rather than ideology, and who maintained relationships with Democrats and Republicans alike throughout his career. The passage of a Senate resolution in his honor underscored the respect he commanded among his colleagues, even among those who served after his retirement.

Bond's transition from public service to the private sector at Thompson Coburn and through his own consulting firm demonstrated the continued relevance of his policy expertise and political experience. His post-Senate work on housing policy through the Bipartisan Policy Center reflected his commitment to addressing practical policy challenges outside of elected office.

As one retrospective noted, Bond's career spanned a transformative period in Missouri and American politics, from the early 1970s through the first decade of the 21st century, during which the state evolved from a reliably competitive political battleground into one that increasingly favored Republican candidates in statewide elections.