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Governor: Becky Lourey


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State Sen. Becky Lourey was an unsuccessful candidate for the DFL nomination for governor in 2002, but she left her mark on the convention that year with a stirring concession speech (Listen) in which she said, "I believe it's time for a woman." Lourey, 62, is the only woman in the race for governor in 2006. Lourey, who is chair of the Senate Health and Family Security Committee, was at the center of the debate over the future of state-funded health care in the legislative session in 2005.

She has also staked out an anti-war position, traveling to Crawford, Texas to take part in Cindy Sheehan's high-profile vigil outside the ranch of President George W. Bush. Lourey's son, Matthew, was killed in Iraq in May 2005 when his helicopter was shot down. She was the lone dissenting vote when the Minnesota Senate passed legislation banning protests outside the funerals of soldiers killed in the line of duty, saying it violated free-speech provisions of the Constitution.

Lourey, who has 9 surviving children, says health insurance, education funding, environmental protections, college financial aid, and affordable housing are her campaign focus points.

Though she did not win the DFL endorsement for governor in 2006 either, this time she announced her intention to run in the September primary.
But in September, she lost to DFLer Mike Hatch 73-to-24 percent.

Candidate Bio

Becky Lourey in 2002 photo
Political affiliation:
DFL Party
Born:
September 24, 1943.
Personal:
Married (Gene). Twelve children (three have died).
Occupation:
State senator. Farmer. Runs Nemadji Research Corp.
Education:
One year at Asbury College in Kentucky. Attended classes at University of Minnesota. Graduated from Little Falls High School.
Major political experience:
Elected to the House in 1990, re-elected in 1992, 1994. Elected to the Senate in 1996, re-elected in 2000 and 2002. Sought DFL gubernatorial nomination in 2002.

On the Issues

Audio Environment (1/15/06)
Audio Early education(1/15/06)
Audio Health care (2/21/06)
Audio Immigration (1/15/06)
Audio Same-sex marriage(2/21/06)
Audio Taxes (2/21/06)

Campaign Contribution Report

Total receipts
$63,000
Cash on hand
$9,000
Source: Lourey campaign - January 2006

Links and Resources

Campaign Web site
Document www.beckylourey.org
MPR's Campaign 2002
Document Becky Lourey
Votetracker
Document Becky Lourey

Candidate Pages

The 2006 race for Minnesota governor became more visible Friday, when four candidates shared a stage for the first time. Democrats Kelly Doran, Steve Kelley and Becky Lourey, and Independence Party member Peter Hutchinson spoke at a business forum on early childhood education. The four criticized Gov. Pawlenty's leadership in this area. (11/18/2005)
State Sen. Becky Lourey, who elevated her profile by speaking out against the Iraq war that claimed her son's life, embarked Tuesday on a second run for governor. (11/15/2005)
Attorney General Mike Hatch is officially entering the governor's race. Hatch could be a formidable candidate, having won statewide office twice. But he also ran unsuccessfully for governor twice in the 1990s, and there's no guarantee he will get the DFL endorsement in '06. Several DFLers are already running for governor, and they say Hatch joining the race doesn't discourage them at all. (10/23/2005)
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