Chuck Graham (born February 24, 1965) is a Democratic politician currently representing the 19th Senate District in the Missouri General Assembly, which includes the city of Columbia, Missouri, where he lives. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1987 with a B.S. in journalism.

He was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1996, and served there through 2002. He was first elected to the Missouri State Senate in 2004, and currently serves as the party's Assistant Minority Floor Leader. He had been mentioned as a possible candidate in the 2006 U.S. Senate Election, but dropped out in support of then State Auditor and present Senator Claire McCaskill.

Graham, a paraplegic resulting from an automobile accident at age 16, is a strong supporter of stem-cell research.

He currently serves on the following committees:

• Education
• Gubernatorial Appointments
• Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
• Pensions, Veterans' Affairs and General Laws

On October 20, 2007, Graham was arrested by Columbia Police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after rear-ending a vehicle near his home in Southwest Columbia. His license was subsequently suspended.

On January 10, 2008, his license was reinstated and he is free to drive again after one month, the state mandated period of suspension.

Graham received national attention when, during a 2008 televised campaign rally in Columbia, Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden asked him to stand up, unaware of his paralysis.

Current Legislation

Chuck Graham's current legislation can be found here

References

• Official Manual, State of Missouri, 2005-2006. Jefferson City, MO: Secretary of State.

External links

• Chuck Graham's Current Legislation
• Senate Member Information - Chuck Graham, D-19
• Chicago Tribune Article
• Sen. Chuck Graham arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated