Crossword Genius

I must meet old, pale statesman (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

iowan

'statesman' is the definition.
(Iowa is a state)

'i must meet old pale' is the wordplay.
'must meet' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'pale' becomes 'wan' (wan can mean pale or grey).
'i'+'o'+'wan'='IOWAN'

(Other definitions for iowan that I've seen before include "From one US state" , "Someone from the Midwest - a wino? (anag)" , "American" , "From Des Moines, say?" , "One from Des Moines perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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