Wednesday, June 28, 2023
SNAPSHOT
Though the U.S. Senate race seemed to hold the most promise for a close race, it was the governor's race in Minnesota that grabbed the election-night headlines. Incumbent Tim Pawlenty held onto his office by just 22,000 votes over DFLer Mike Hatch. But Pawlenty saw his GOP colleagues swept out of office. In the Senate race, DFLer Amy Klobuchar easily beat Rep. Mark Kennedy.
The retirement of Sen. Mark Dayton sparked early interest in the campaign, with Rep. Mark Kennedy jumping in early. But a year later, Kennedy emerged as the lone Republican for the job, and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar's strength was forcing several Democrats, including Patty Wetterling, out of the race.
The Senate race immediately attracted national attention, but as Klobuchar surged ahead of Kennedy in the polls, much national attention turned to the 6th District, where Patty Wetterling and state Sen. Michele Bachmann were the major contenders. Bachmann beat Wettlerling. It was Wetterling's second straight loss in the district. In the 5th, Rep. Keith Ellison became the first Muslim congressman. And in the 1st, incumbent Gil Gutknecht was defeated by DFLer Tim Walz.
Though the U.S. Senate race seemed to hold the most promise for a close race, it was the governor's race in Minnesota that grabbed the election-night headlines. Incumbent Tim Pawlenty held onto his office by just 22,000 votes over DFLer Mike Hatch. But Pawlenty saw his GOP colleagues swept out of office. In the Senate race, DFLer Amy Klobuchar easily beat Rep. Mark Kennedy.
The retirement of Sen. Mark Dayton sparked early interest in the campaign, with Rep. Mark Kennedy jumping in early. But a year later, Kennedy emerged as the lone Republican for the job, and Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar's strength was forcing several Democrats, including Patty Wetterling, out of the race.
The Senate race immediately attracted national attention, but as Klobuchar surged ahead of Kennedy in the polls, much national attention turned to the 6th District, where Patty Wetterling and state Sen. Michele Bachmann were the major contenders. Bachmann beat Wettlerling. It was Wetterling's second straight loss in the district. In the 5th, Rep. Keith Ellison became the first Muslim congressman. And in the 1st, incumbent Gil Gutknecht was defeated by DFLer Tim Walz.
|
Select A Candidate
Answer questions about major issues and quickly learn which candidates share your views. You'll be able to learn more about candidates and see how your results compare with those of others who take the survey.Select A Candidate
Republican incumbent Tim Pawlenty, DFLer Mike Hatch and the Independence Party's Peter Hutchinson will face off in the November election, and the barbs have already started.
(09/13/2006)
DFLer Becky Lourey, Republican Sue Jeffers and the Independence Party's Pam Ellison say they have better positions on the issues than the three candidates they're challenging.
(09/11/2006)
With a little more than two months before the November election, Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty has a significant fundraising lead over his opponents. Pawlenty's campaign says the governor has $2 million in the bank, twice as much as his nearest rival, DFLer Mike Hatch.
(08/29/2006)
DFL gubernatorial candidate Becky Lourey took her turn at the Humphrey Institute lectern Wednesday as part of the institute's series of Candidate Forums. Lourey, a state senator from Kerrick, is challenging DFL-endorsed candidate Mike Hatch in the Sept. 12 primary.
(Midday, 08/25/2006)
State Sen. Becky Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, hopes DFL voters will choose her over endorsed gubernatorial candidate Mike Hatch in the September primary elections. She makes her case as part of Midday's "Meet the Candidates" series.
(Midday, 08/17/2006)
The issue of health care is heating up in the governor's race. Two candidates have already outlined health care proposals, and another two will weigh in on the issue this week. Political observers say the issue affects many Minnesotans' pocketbooks, but it's unclear whether it will ultimately affect their votes in November.
(08/09/2006)
The DFL-endorsed candidates for U.S. Senate and governor say they're focusing on the November general election, and the Republicans running in the race. But Amy Klobuchar and Mike Hatch must first get through the September primary, and both face primary challengers who claim to have stronger positions on the issues.
(07/05/2006)
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch is the DFL endorsed candidate for governor. Hatch won the endorsement on Saturday in Rochester, beating out state Senators Becky Lourey and Steve Kelley. The endorsement makes Hatch the clear frontrunner to take on Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty but he will have to win the DFL primary first.
(06/11/2006)
Klobuchar easily won the backing of the vast majoirity of delegates to the state DFL convention underway this weekend in Rochester, winning on the first ballot with 78 percent of the vote.
(06/09/2006)
Minnesota Democrats will endorse a candidate for governor at the party's state convention in Rochester on Saturday. Vying for the endorsement are Attorney General Mike Hatch, state Sen. Steve Kelley and state Sen. Becky Lourey.
(06/09/2006)
The DFL candidates for governor will all be watching Tuesday's precinct caucuses to see what kind of support they enjoy from party stalwarts. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson face no challenge within their parties.
(Midday, 03/07/2006)
Midday's "Meet the Candidates" series continues with Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Becky Lourey.
(Midday, 02/21/2006)
A candidate forum on business issues was the latest in which Attorney General Mike Hatch chose not to participate. Some Democrats are wondering why Hatch is keeping a low profile on the campaign trail.
(02/08/2006)
DFL candidate Kelly Doran leads the money chase
in the Minnesota governor's race, thanks mainly to his own loans. In the Senate race, Mark Kennedy is outpacing DFLer Amy Klobuchar.
(01/31/2006)
Issues of particular concern to women dominated the latest DFL gubernatorial forum, sponsored by the DFL Feminist Caucus on Sunday.
(01/16/2006)