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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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Gov. Pawlenty has outlined a plan to provide free in-state college tuition to Minnesota's top high school students. Pawlenty says an estimated 16,000 students could benefit in the first year. DFL critics say the Republican governor has had an election-year conversion on higher education issues. (06/27/2006)
Peter Hutchinson easily won endorsement from Independence Party delegates for governor. Hutchinson says he offers an alternative to Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and DFLer Mike Hatch, calling them "the most polarizing candidates in recent memory." (Midday, 06/26/2006)
Saying Minnesota has been hijacked by partisan extremes, the Independence Party hopes to attract new voters as it presents a slate of candidates for the November election. The IP held its endorsing convention Saturday, and we'll hear highlights and analysis. (Midday, 06/26/2006)
Mike Hatch announced former state auditor and one-time Republican Judi Dutcher as his running mate Sunday, as Democratic supporters touted the electoral math they hope will propel the two to the governor's office this fall. (06/25/2006)
Winning the Independence Party endorsement for governor was no problem for public policy consultant Peter Hutchinson Saturday. (06/24/2006)
Minnesota's Independence Party holds its state convention at Midway Stadium in St. Paul Saturday. Two candidates for governor are promising campaigns that will reach out to disgruntled voters. (06/22/2006)
Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson reached into the doctor's office to find a campaign trail companion, naming physician and ex-health company executive Dr. Maureen Reed as his running mate Thursday. (06/15/2006)
Former state Finance Commissioner Peter Hutchinson is running for governor under the Minnesota Independence Party banner. He discusses the issues in the campaign. (Midday, 06/15/2006)
The five-year low is a cause for celebration for Gov. Tim Pawlenty who touted it Tuesday as another sign of an economy on the right track. (06/13/2006)
Attorney General Mike Hatch secured the DFL endorsement for governor on Saturday, but one of his challengers, state Sen. Beck Lourey, is taking Hatch on in the primary. Hatch talks about his primary and general election prospects. (Midday, 06/13/2006)
Amy Klobuchar, who won the DFL Party's endorsement for the U.S. Senate race, will face Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy in November. Klobuchar is currently the Hennepin County attorney. She discusses the upcoming campaign on Midday. (Midday, 06/12/2006)
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch is the DFL endorsed candidate for governor. Hatch won the endorsement on Saturday in Rochester, beating out state Senators Becky Lourey and Steve Kelley. The endorsement makes Hatch the clear frontrunner to take on Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty but he will have to win the DFL primary first. (06/11/2006)
Klobuchar easily won the backing of the vast majoirity of delegates to the state DFL convention underway this weekend in Rochester, winning on the first ballot with 78 percent of the vote. (06/09/2006)
Minnesota Democrats will endorse a candidate for governor at the party's state convention in Rochester on Saturday. Vying for the endorsement are Attorney General Mike Hatch, state Sen. Steve Kelley and state Sen. Becky Lourey. (06/09/2006)
Delegates to the state DFL convention in Rochester will endorse Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar for U.S. Senate. But not all Democrats will leave Rochester united behind Klobuchar. (06/08/2006)

Election Wrap-up

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