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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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South Dakota lawmakers approved an abortion ban earlier this year. A group opposed to the ban referred the law to a public vote. (11/05/2006)
Democratic candidate Mike Hatch, the frontrunner in the race for Minnesota governor, took heat Friday from two rivals over a temper he displayed in the campaign's stretch run. (11/04/2006)
For more than a year, we've heard plenty of pundits talk about what the voters think. Now it's time to hear from the voters. MPR News talked with several voters in the region to find out whom they intend to vote for in various races and why. (11/04/2006)
Mike Hatchlashed out at KSTP-TV by suggesting the station has an agenda because the station's owner, Stanley Hubbard, has contributed to a special interest group that is running TV ads that criticize him. (11/03/2006)
A recent Minnesota Public Radio/Pioneer Press poll suggests that only 7 percent of Minnesota voters haven't decided who they want to put in the governor's office for the next four years. That means 93 percent have made up their minds. Eight of those decided voters explain their decisions. (Midday, 11/03/2006)
Campaigns are about candidates, issues, fundraising and strategy. But in the end, it's the voters who will decide the election. Eight voters who have made up their minds about the U.S. Senate race explain who they are supporting and why. (Midday, 11/03/2006)
All politics is local. Most observers don't argue with that. But some local issues on the November ballot are hotter than others. Here's a sampling. (11/03/2006)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been seen as a rising star in the Republican Party, but he's locked in a close race with DFL candidate Mike Hatch. (11/03/2006)
Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson faces long odds in his race for Minnesota governor. But the public policy consultant is undaunted, because he says Minnesota voters want a change from politics as usual. (11/03/2006)
This year, a new voter turnout system is helping Democrats and Republicans find eligible voters -- one by one. (11/03/2006)
Democrat Mike Hatch sought to reassure voters of his expertise on ethanol on Thursday, a day after his running mate drew a blank when she was questioned in farm country about E-85. (11/02/2006)
Judi Dutcher's flub was just the latest in a long line of campaign blunders that range from turning the late Sen. Paul Wellstone's memorial service into a plea for Democratic votes in 2002 to DFL gubernatorial candidate Hubert "Skip" Humphrey III's insistence in 1998 that third-party candidate Jesse Ventura be included in debates. (11/02/2006)
The race for Minneapolis school board takes place against the backdrop of recent miss-steps over the hiring, then removal, of a controversial superintendent and the abrupt decision to close more than a dozen schools. (11/02/2006)
Right now, DFLers control the Minnesota Senate. Republicans control the House. But all 201 seats in the Legislature are up for re-election. What will happen to the balance of power on Nov. 7? (Midday, 11/02/2006)
A new Minnesota Public Radio/Pioneer Press poll shows DFLer Lori Swanson with an increasing lead in the race for attorney general. (11/02/2006)

Election Wrap-up

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