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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.