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Candidate Bio
Patty Wetterling
Political affiliation:
DFL Party
Born:
Omaha, Nebraska

Personal:
Married to Jerry. Four children (Trevor, Carmen, Amy. Son, Jacob, was abducted in 1989 and has not been found.
Resides in St. Joseph.

Occupation:
Founder of Jacob Wetterling Foundation. Former math teacher. Executive recruiter and consultant.
Education:
Major political experience:
Audio and Debates
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Campaign Web site:
Document wetterlingforcongress.com/
Candidate Pages
District Pages

Patty Wetterling - 6th District

SNAPSHOT
Patty Wetterling has been a reluctant celebrity, dragged into the spotlight 15 years ago when her 11-year-old son, Jacob, was abducted at gunpoint by a masked man. Jacob has never been found. Now a high-profile expert on child abuse and abduction issues, she's known for working amicably with both sides of the political aisle. That may be one reason she struggled with whether to accept Democrats' offer that she run for Congress. She's a former math teacher, soccer coach and Parent Teacher Association president. For 23 years, she served on the board of a local arts festival.

Despite her high name recognition, and a well-funded and organized campaign, Wetterling lost to incumbent Mark Kennedy in the election of 2004.

Wetterling is working hard to raise money and attention in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District
Political junkies will be scanning the latest fundraising reports, looking to see how candidates in the most competitive races are faring. In Minnesota they'll pay particular attention to the 6th Congressional District race between Republican incumbent Mark Kennedy and DFLer Patty Wetterling. The race may come down to experience versus name recognition. Kennedy is hoping that voters will appreciate his two terms in office over Wetterling's popularity.
Wetterling's campaign theme: Children are our future
DFLers have made it official: Patty Wetterling is the party's choice to unseat Republican Mark Kennedy this fall in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District. The unanimous endorsement came before Saturday's DFL state convention in Duluth.
Wetterling jumps into broader political arena in Congress bid
Patty Wetterling made it official Tuesday, announcing her candidacy for Minnesota's 6th Congressional district. She'll run as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy. Tragedy has given Patty Wetterling tremendous name recognition. In 1989, her son Jacob was abducted at gunpoint near his St. Joseph home, and he's been missing ever since. Wetterling has spent 14 years pushing for state and national legislation to deal with violence against children. Now Wetterling will need to convince people her candidacy is about more than one issue.
Wetterling's popularity no guarantee she can win in the 6th District
Missing childrens' advocate Patty Wetterling popularity gives her a big boost in the 6th Congressional District, but she'll need more than name recognition to win and unseat Republican incumbent Mark Kennedy.
Republican congressman responds to Kerry visit
Democrats are not the only ones interested in John Kerry's visit to Minnesota. Republicans in the state are also watching the presumptive Democratic candidate for president closely as they try to help president Bush win the state's 10 electoral votes. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy, who represents the 6th Congressional District. Kennedy has been a strong supporter of President Bush.
Kennedy has company in the 6th District
Patty Wetterling, an advocate for missing and exploited children, is a DFL candidate in Minnesota 6th District. Wetterling's campaign says she filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and will start raising money right away. Wetterling is one of several candidates who will be seeking the Democratic nomination to run in the 6th District. Whoever wins the nomination will face Republican incumbent Mark Kennedy.
Wetterling mulling run for Congress
Patty Wetterling is thinking about running for Congress this fall to oust Republican Mark Kennedy. Wetterling is nationally known for the way she responded to the 1989 abduction of her son Jacob who's still missing. She helped create the Jacob Wetterling Foundation to push child safety issues at the state capitol, and in Washington, D.C. The DFL party has been recruiting her for the past couple of weeks to run in the Sixth Congressional District which stretches from the suburbs of the Twin Cities, up to St. Cloud. If she does decide to run, she will have to secure the DFL endorsement before a possible matchup against Kennedy. At least one other DFLer, Ted Thompson, has already announced his intention to get the DFL endorsement. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Patty Wetterling.
Does Mark Kennedy have higher goals?
Some of the biggest political speculation in Minnesota has nothing to do with the 2004 election. Instead, it's looking ahead to 2006 when DFL incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton is up for re-election. One of the names most often mentioned as a Republican who might challenge Dayton is 6th District Congressman Mark Kennedy, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2000.
Kennedy on toll roads and current events
Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn. talks about his proposal to ease traffic congestion with toll roads, and other issues facing Congress. He also takes listener questions.
Kennedy remarks on Iraq
Minnesota 6th district republican Congressman Mark Kennedy talks about his recent trip to Iraq, and the major issues facing Congress this fall.
Tolls for thee, Minnesota?
In the next couple of years, Minnesotans could be paying tolls to use certain metropolitan highway lanes. State and federal lawmakers are considering plans to charge lane fees to relieve congestion and fund new road projects. The proposal is part of a mix of highway development and financing plans announced by Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration and legislators from both parties.

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