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Governor


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.
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Sue Jeffers, the Libertarian-turned-Republican challenging Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the September primary election, discussed her vision for smaller government in an Aug. 17 speech at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute. (Midday, 08/23/2006)
Attorney General Mike Hatch wants to make the big move across the hallway and into the governor's office. Hatch, who won the DFL endorsement in June, explains where he stands on the issues as part of Midday's "Meet the Candidates" series. (Midday, 08/22/2006)
DFL candidate for governor Mike Hatch is trying to make embryonic stem cell research a key issue in this year's campaign. For the second time in a month, Hatch held a news conference to propose a $100 million state investment in stem cell research. (08/21/2006)
Peter Hutchinson believes he can follow in Jesse Ventura's footsteps to become Minnesota's second Independence Party governor. Hutchinson discusses his campaign and the issues as part of Midday's "Meet the Candidates" series. (Midday, 08/21/2006)
Sue Jeffers says she's the only true conservative running for governor this year. Jeffers, who is challenging Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the Republican primary, discusses the issues as part of Midday's "Meet the Candidates" series. (Midday, 08/18/2006)
Midmorning speaks with Attorney General Mike Hatch, DFL candidate for governor, about his battle against large companies, his views on health care and how he plans to swing Minnesota's undecided voters. (Midmorning, 08/18/2006)
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)
Midmorning speaks with gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson about his current campaign, his stance on the issues and the challenges facing the Independence Party. (Midmorning, 08/17/2006)
State officials say Minnesota's economy added nearly 12,000 jobs last month. Over the past year, the state has added jobs at more than double the national rate. At the same time, Minnesota's unemployment rate inched up last month, because more people are now looking for work. (08/15/2006)
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty is asking Minnesota voters to give him a second term. Pawlenty makes his case as part of Midday's "Meet the Candidates" series. (Midday, 08/14/2006)
Among the endorsed major party candidates for governor, only Peter Hutchinson of the Independence Party has never before held elected office. But he has a public record, serving more than three years as the superintendent of the Minneapolis school district. (08/13/2006)
Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson unveiled a health care plan that he says will save state and local governments as much as $1.2 billion a year. His plan includes requiring all Minnesotans to have health insurance and slashing administrative costs in half. (08/11/2006)
Independence Party-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson offered a lesson on "the price of government" at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute Thursday. His speech was part of the Humphrey's series of "policy talks" from major party candidates for governor. (Midday, 08/11/2006)
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)
In the first in a series of "major policy addresses" from the major-party gubernatorial candidates at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute, incumbent Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty speaks about changes he'd like to see in the state's education system. (Midday, 07/26/2006)