Ashcroft, John (1942– )

US Republican politician and attorney general 2001–04. A deeply religious conservative, who opposes abortion, gun control, voluntary school desegregation, and gay rights, and supports the death penalty, his appointment as attorney general by President George W Bush was considered controversial. As senator for Missouri 1995–2000 he strongly criticized President Bill Clinton's conduct over the Monica Lewinsky affair, and angered Democrats in 1999 by accepting an honorary degree from South Carolina's Bob Jones University, which until 2000 banned its students from interracial dating.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ashcroft grew up in Springfield, Missouri, where his father was a minister. After graduating in law from Chicago University in 1967 he practised as an attorney (lawyer) and taught business law at Southwest Missouri State University. He was assistant attorney general of Missouri 1975–77, attorney general of Missouri 1977–84, governor of Missouri 1985–93, and senator for the state 1995–2000.

As governor, he spearheaded a campaign against illegal drug use. As a senator he sought, unsuccessfully, to amend the welfare reform bill to require recipients to work towards a high-school degree.