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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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Independence Party candidate Robert Fitzgerald is barely old enough to be elected to the Senate, traverses the state in a vegetable-oil-powered bus, and runs with all the passion and energy of a frontrunner. Fitzgerald joins MPR's Midday as part of its "Meet the Candidates" series. (Midday, 10/16/2006)
Many voters seem to support tax increases to public lands in fast growing communities. (10/15/2006)
Candidates in Minnesota's closely watched U.S. Senate race clashed Sunday on issues such as Iraq and tax policy, with the Republican candidate saying he stood by his vote to authorize the war in Iraq. (10/15/2006)
In Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, Muslims are speaking with a newly found political voice. (10/13/2006)
Midday's Meet the Candidates series concludes three days of gubernatorial contenders with Peter Hutchinson of the Independence Party. (Midday, 10/13/2006)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty says if Minnesota has a budget surplus, he doesn't want to use the additional money for rebate checks to taxpayers. (10/12/2006)
The Republican and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate have radically difference approaches to tackling problems facing the nation's economy. Both want the deficit reduced, but would chart different courses to get there. (10/12/2006)
From the perspective nearly every poll, the race for governor in Minnesota is close. MPR's Midday spends an hour with the DFL challenger -- Mike Hatch. (Midday, 10/11/2006)
Minnesota's 8th District state Senate seat is up for grabs this year, after DFL Sen. Becky Lourey ran unsuccessfully for Governor. Her son Tony, of Kerrick, has stepped in as the DFL candidate. But he's not the only well known name in the race. Republican Dan Stevens of Mora served 10 years in the Minnesota Senate. (10/11/2006)
The three candidates running for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat held a lively debate Tuesday night on the Concordia College campus in Moorhead. (10/10/2006)
All ballots cast in Minnesota on Nov. 7 will be electronically counted. State election officials say voters should feel confident about the state's voting equipment. (10/10/2006)
During a debate on Minnesota Public Radio's Midmorning program, Lori Swanson said Jeff Johnson supported a bill as a state legislator that was aimed at limiting stem cell research at the University of Minnesota. Johnson accused Swanson of resorting to wedge issues. (10/10/2006)
Voters in Minneapolis will face a ballot question this November that could change the way they vote in future citywide elections. (10/10/2006)
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty says the state's job market is "on fire," while his opponents say Minnesota's economic picture is not so hot. (10/10/2006)
From the Mark Foley scandal to gas prices, social issues to the war in Iraq, what forces are shaping this year's elections and how will they affect the balance of power in Washington? (Midday, 10/09/2006)

Election Wrap-up

  • Results: Final numbers and maps
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  • Event: Election Night Policy and a Pint