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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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There are less than three weeks to go before primary election day on Sept. 12. How are the campaigns for governor, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House shaping up? (Midday, 08/23/2006)
President Bush mixed policy and politics into a four and a half hour trip to Minnesota Tuesday. The president led a panel discussion on health care in Minnetonka and later appeared at a fundraiser for Republican congressional candidate Michele Bachmann in Wayzata. (08/23/2006)
U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht will keep his place on the Sept. 12 primary election ballot after the state Supreme Court swiftly turned back a challenge to the petitions he used to qualify. (08/22/2006)
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)
The war in Iraq and homeland security are likely to be the biggest issues in this year's U.S. Senate race. The major party candidates have been airing their differences on those topics this week. (08/18/2006)
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)
Mark Kennedy's 2006 Senate campaign has thus far kept a distance from President Bush, at least in TV campaign ads. Kennedy has however used the White House to raise more than $1.5 million in the last year. (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)
An Independence Party legislative candidate is asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to place his name on the September primary ballot. He's blaming Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer for his missing the filing deadline. (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)

Election Wrap-up

  • Results: Final numbers and maps
  • Policast: Daily podcast of political news
  • Event: Election Night Policy and a Pint