Roy Dean Blunt, born on January 10, 1950, is a prominent American politician and lobbyist, who represented Missouri in the United States Senate from 2011 until 2023. A dedicated member of the Republican Party, Blunt held several influential positions throughout his career, including serving as the 33rd Missouri Secretary of State from 1985 to 1993 and as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 7th congressional district from 1997 to 2011.
Raised in Niangua, Missouri, Blunt earned degrees from Southwest Baptist University and Southwest Missouri State University (currently known as Missouri State University). Following his tenure as Secretary of State, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, where he played a pivotal role as Republican Whip from 2003 to 2009.
Blunt successfully transitioned to the Senate after winning the election in 2010. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference in 2011 and later assuming the role of Policy Committee chairman in November 2018. He was recognized as the dean of Missouri's congressional delegation. On March 8, 2021, Blunt announced his decision not to run for re-election in 2022, subsequently succeeded by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.
Post-Congress, Blunt joined Husch Blackwell Strategies as a lobbyist and took a position on the board of directors for Southwest Airlines, continuing to influence American policy and business.
