Paul David Wellstone was an American Democrat politician, academic, and author who represented Minnesota in the United States Senate from 1991 until he was killed in a plane crash in Eveleth, Minnesota, on October 25, 2002.
Born July 21, 1944 in Washington D.C., Wellstone was a professor at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and a community organizer in Rice County prior to entering public office. Wellstone gained national attention after his upset victory over Republican incumbent Rudy Boschwitz in the 1990 US Senate election. In his 1996 reelection campaign, he defeated Boschwitz in a rematch. As a member of the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, Wellstone was a vocal leader of the progressive wing of the national Democratic Party.
April 2, 2001 - Paul Wellstone is voting for the campaign finance bill because it will get rid of the soft money. The main problem is that it takes the cap off of the hard money budget.
April 19, 2001 - Father John Kyzer died when he was in Kenya. The Kenyan government claimed that it was a suicide, but Wellstone pushes that it was an assassination because there is a lot of proof that supports that case.
August 29, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum talks with politicians at the State Fair. McCallum interviews Norm Coleman, Bruce Anderson, Paul Wellstone and Mark Dayton.
November 2, 2001 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, who shares his views on numerous political and social topics. Wellstone also answers listener questions.
May 3, 2002 - This afternoon delegates to the state DFL convention will enthusiastically endorse Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone's bid for a third term. Wellstone is expected to deliver a trademark passionate speech outlining his sharp ideological contrast to the Republican agenda. Wellstone will not formally kick off his campaign until later this month even though the contest with Republican challenger Norm Coleman is well underway. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik prepared this report on Wellstone's Senate career and why the Senator is pursuing a third term he repeatedly pledged NOT to seek.
August 26, 2002 - Just as much a part of the State Fair as midway rides, 4-H displays and food of all kinds, are politicians working potential voters. MPR’s Mark Zdechlik checks in on what the four major party endorsed candidates for U.S. Senate are talking about at the Fair.
August 30, 2002 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on Minnesota U.S. Senate debate held at the Minnesota State Fair. Segment includes clips from the four candidates as they debated topics including healthcare, taxes, and the war with Iraq, amongst others.
September 23, 2002 - MPR's "Meet the Candidates" series with Paul Wellstone, U.S. Senator discussing re-election campaign issues.
October 3, 2002 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone on the Senate floor, said he will not support the Bush administration's desire to take unilateral military action against Iraq. We'll hear his position as the Senate is expected to begin formal debate of the Iraq resolution later today.
October 26, 2002 - A special Saturday edition of Midday the day after Senator Paul Wellstone's fatal plane crash. Included are audio clips from the MPR Archives and callers' remarks.