Meet the Candidates is a long-running series at MPR News in which political candidates from numerous parties sit down at MPR studios and the MPR State Fair booth to discuss their positions and pitch their candidacy to potential voters in the listening audience.
August 30, 1984 - On this Midday "Meet the Candidates" call-in program, MPR’s Bob Potter talks with State Treasurer Robert Mattson about his DFL primary campaign for U.S. Senate. Topics include Minnesota state offices, U.S. trade, and military defense, amongst others. Mattson also answers listener questions.
June 26, 1996 - The Reform Party's endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate, Dean Barkley, is on Midday to answer listener questions, as part of a series of programs with the candidates for U.S. Senate which will be running on Midday during summer and fall.
July 11, 1996 - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rudy Boschwitz visits Midday to share his campaign platform and answer questions from listeners as part of Midday's series of programs with the candidates. Topics include DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone, minimum wage, taxes, and federal budget.
July 18, 1996 - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bert McKasy visits Midday to share his campaign platform and answer questions from listeners as part of Midday's series of programs with the candidates. Topics include Republican primary fight, DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone, electability, tax policy, and term limits.
August 8, 1996 - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steven Young visits Midday to share his campaign platform and answer questions from listeners as part of Midday's series of programs with the candidates. Topics include Republican primary fight, DFL incumbent Paul Wellstone, polls, and voter pessimism.
October 4, 1996 - As part of Meet the Candidates series, Midday’s Gary Eichten speaks with U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone about recent legislation passed in Congress and the 1996 senate race. Listeners also call-in with questions.
October 18, 1996 - As part of Midday's "Meet the Candidates" series, guest Dean Barkley, Reform Party candidate for U.S. Senate, talks about his campaign, state of Reform Party, and answers questions from Minnesota Public Radio listeners.
October 23, 1996 - Midday offers a chance to hear from candidates in the 5th and 3rd Congressional Districts. For the first half hour, 5th District DFL Congressman Martin Sabo and his Republican challenger Jack Uldrich. For the second half hour, 3rd District Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad and his DFL challenger Stan Leino.
October 25, 1996 - Midday offers a chance to hear from the candidates in the 4th and 6th Congressional Districts. For the first half hour, 6th District DFL Congressman Bill Luther and his Republican challenger Tad Jude. For the second half hour, 4th District DFL Congressman Bruce Vento and his Republican challenger Dennis Newinski.
April 24, 1998 - As part of our "Meet the Candidates” series, DFL Gubernatorial candidate Doug Johnson answers questions from listeners about issues facing Minnesota, and his plans if he is elected Governor. Topics include taxes, abortion, and education.