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U.S. Senate: Patty Wetterling


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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DFL U.S. Senate candidates Amy Klobuchar and Ford Bell make a joint appearance as part of Midday's Meet the Candidates series. They are both hoping for strong support from the party faithful in Tuesday's precinct caucuses. (Midday, 03/03/2006)
Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn., has set his sights on the U.S. Senate. He's running for the seat vacated by Democratic Sen. Mark Dayton, who is not seeking reelection. (Midday, 03/02/2006)
Ford Bell is one of two Minnesota Demcorats vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate this year. In Midday's ongoing Meet the Candidates series, Bell explains what he'd like to accomplish in Washington. (Midday, 02/24/2006)
Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar is hoping to keep Mark Dayton's U.S. Senate seat in Democratic hands. She's already raised well over $2 million to finance her campaign, putting her second in the money race behind Republican contender Rep. Mark Kennedy. (Midday, 02/23/2006)
Republican lawmakers and Emily's List have emerged as big early players in the Minnesota senate race, an Associated Press review of campaign finance reports shows. (02/16/2006)
MPR's Tom Crann talks with Rep. Mark Kennedy about President Bush's proposed federal budget (02/10/2006)
Trial attorney Mike Ciresi has decided not to enter the race for U.S. Senate in Minnesota. He criticized his own party for "not having a voice for issues ordinary people care about." MPR's Tom Scheck talked with Ciresi. (02/08/2006)
On Thursday, President Bush makes his 18th stop in Minnesota since taking office. Given recent approval ratings, does his appearance cast a negative shadow on GOP candidates here? Or does it fire up the base? (02/01/2006)
DFL candidate Kelly Doran leads the money chase in the Minnesota governor's race, thanks mainly to his own loans. In the Senate race, Mark Kennedy is outpacing DFLer Amy Klobuchar. (01/31/2006)
Children's safety advocate Patty Wetterling said Friday she is ending her Democratic campaign for U.S. Senate, and threw her support to Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar. (01/20/2006)
Rep. Mark Kennedy, an opponent of drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, voted for a defense bill Monday that authorizes it. (12/19/2005)
President Bush traveled to Minnesota Friday to raise money for the U.S. Senate campaign of Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy. Bush spoke about the need to be tough on terrorism, and also urged Republicans to elect Kennedy to the Senate. (12/09/2005)
President Bush is in town Friday raising money for Minnesota Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy's U.S. Senate bid. With Bush's poll numbers languishing, will he be able to help Republicn candidates? ( 12/09/2005)
President Bush's fundraising visit in support of Senate candidate Mark Kennedy, comes when the president's approval rating in Minnesota has plunged. If that trend continues, it could hurt the chances in 2006. (12/09/2005)
The Pentagon is tentatively considering reducing the number of troops in Iraq by as many as three brigades over the next year, according to news reports. There are currently 18 brigades on the ground. Is U.S. military strategy in Iraq proving effective? ( 11/25/2005)