About Joseph P. Teasdale
Joseph Patrick Teasdale was an American politician. A Democrat, he served as the 48th Governor of Missouri from 1977 to 1981. Teasdale was formerly a prosecutor for Jackson County, Missouri. In 1972, he made his first bid for governor, placing third in the Democratic primary, but attaining name recognition and the nickname "Walking Joe". In 1976, after initially running for U.S. Senate, Teasdale switched races and made a second bid for the Governor's office. He won the nomination and defeated incumbent Kit Bond in an upset. In 1980, Teasdale beat back a primary challenge from State Treasurer Jim Spainhower, but was defeated by Bond in a rematch. After leaving office, Teasdale returned to practicing law until his death. Teasdale defeated Gepford in what the Kansas City Times called a "major upset." He won the November 8 general election, defeating Republican Richard B. Teasdale's election made him the youngest person to ever hold the prosecutor's office. Teasdale had been the first Missouri Governor to hail from Kansas City in over 80 years.
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