Tuesday, November 28, 2023
SNAPSHOT
Although the U.S. Senate race was expected to be competitive, in the end, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar delivered a crushing defeat to 6th District Rep. Mark Kennedy, winning all but 9 counties in the state.
If Minnesotans became campaign weary in the 2006 election cycle, this is the race that can be blamed. When Mark Dayton announced in January 2005 that he would not seek re-election, it ignited a frantic start to the campaign season as candidates -- many of whom had just finished campaigns for office -- jockeyed for position not only to be his successor, but to be the the successor to the would-be successor.
Sixth District Rep. Mark Kennedy was long predicted to be a candidate, and his was the first announcement. He then campaigned in the 1st District, where Rep. Gil Gutknecht was said to be considering a challenge for the seat. Gutknecht eventually decided to seek re-election.
Similarly, DFLer Amy Klobuchar was early out of the race, and discouraged Patty Wetterling from continuing an early Senate bid, largely on the strength of her superior fundraising skills.
Although the U.S. Senate race was expected to be competitive, in the end, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar delivered a crushing defeat to 6th District Rep. Mark Kennedy, winning all but 9 counties in the state.
If Minnesotans became campaign weary in the 2006 election cycle, this is the race that can be blamed. When Mark Dayton announced in January 2005 that he would not seek re-election, it ignited a frantic start to the campaign season as candidates -- many of whom had just finished campaigns for office -- jockeyed for position not only to be his successor, but to be the the successor to the would-be successor.
Sixth District Rep. Mark Kennedy was long predicted to be a candidate, and his was the first announcement. He then campaigned in the 1st District, where Rep. Gil Gutknecht was said to be considering a challenge for the seat. Gutknecht eventually decided to seek re-election.
Similarly, DFLer Amy Klobuchar was early out of the race, and discouraged Patty Wetterling from continuing an early Senate bid, largely on the strength of her superior fundraising skills.
Candidates








Ben Powers (Constitution)

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Debates
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KSTP/LWV Senate debate (10/29/06) |
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Senate debate from Moorhead (10/10/06) |
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Major party Senate candidate debate on TPT. (9/19/06) |
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Midday Senate debate at the state fair (9/1/06) |
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Senate debate at Farmfest (8/2/06) |
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Senate debate in Mounds View (3/3/06) |
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DFL Senate candidates on Midday (3/3/06) |
The Money Race
Candidate | Funds |
Mark Kennedy | $9,036,645 |
Amy Klobuchar | $7,922,161 |
Robert Fitzgerald | $7,130 |
Michael Cavlan | $6,140 |
Withdrawn Candidates













Stephen Williams (Independence)
A budget-cutting package in the U.S. House would reduce funding for programs such as food stamps, Medicaid and student loans. Opponents of the bill are targeting four Minnesota Republicans, including 6th District Rep. Mark Kennedy, who's running for U.S. Senate.
(11/16/2005)
Another Democrat is entering the 2006 race for U.S. Senate. Veterinarian Ford Bell formally launches his campaign Friday. On the Republican side, Vice President Dick Cheney will be in Minnesota raising money for Rep. Mark Kennedy, who's also running for Senate.
(07/22/2005)
Senate candidates Mark Kennedy, Amy Klobuchar
and Patty Wetterling each list assets of less than $1 million in
financial disclosure forms while a fourth candidate said his assets
and liabilities both exceed $50 million, according to an Associated
Press review.
(05/27/2005)
Citing the potential for a divisive campaign
ahead, conservative former U.S. Sen. Rod Grams said Sunday he is
ending his bid to return to the Senate in 2006.
(04/25/2005)
Democrat Amy Klobuchar officially entered the race for U.S. Senate on Sunday. So far only Klobuchar and Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy have formally launched campaigns for the seat DFLer Mark Dayton will leave at the end of next year.
(04/17/2005)
Another Republican Party heavy hitter, Gov. Tim
Pawlenty, endorsed U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy's 2006 campaign Monday as
the congressman's lone GOP rival lashed out at party bosses he said
were counting him out too soon.
(03/07/2005)
Sixth District Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn., has already begun campaigning for U.S. Senate even though Minnesotans won't vote for nearly two years. Democrats say Kennedy is shirking his House of Representatives duties in favor of his Senate bid.
(02/25/2005)
U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy is the first candidate to officially jump into the U.S. Senate race. Kennedy, a Republican, announced Friday that he will run for the seat being vacated by DFLer Mark Dayton.
(02/11/2005)
Sen. Mark Dayton's decision to bow out after one
term touched off a flurry of talk Wednesday about Democrats who
might try to move up the political ladder.
(02/09/2005)
Republican Rod Grams is pondering a political
comeback with a possible challenge to Democratic Sen. Mark Dayton,
who knocked him out of office in 2000.
(02/02/2005)