Over the decades, MPR has presented the many different perspectives of Minnesota politics and politicians. This collection is home to a multitude speeches, interviews and debates on the issues of the day. Important topics of civil rights, environment, crime, budget, legislation, and campaigns are addressed.
Click on link to these well-known figures to see audio segments directly related to them: Michele Bachmann Arne Carlson Keith Ellison Hubert Humphrey Amy Klobuchar Eugene McCarthy Walter Mondale Tim Pawlenty R.T. Rybak Jesse Ventura Paul Wellstone
August 16, 2018 - All Thing’s Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Congressman Tim Walz the day after his win in the DFL gubernatorial primary. Walz defeated Attorney General Lori Swanson and State Representative Erin Murphy, with 42% of the vote.
August 17, 2018 - MPR’s John Enger reports on Republican gubernatorial nominee Jeff Johnson and his DFL opponent Tim Walz as they faced each other on debate stage in Nisswa for their first meeting. While views on topics like mining and pipeline were similar, healthcare and taxes became key debates between the two candidates.
August 31, 2018 - At MPR Day at the Minnesota State Fair, Politics Friday’s Mike Mulcahy hosts a gubernatorial debate at Dan Patch Park between U.S. Representative Tim Walz, the DFL candidate; and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, the GOP candidate. The two spar over President Trump, schools, gun control measures, and how to slow the rising cost of health care. The stakes are high for both parties. Republicans have complete control of the Legislature and could control all of state government if they win the governor's office this fall, but they haven't managed to win a statewide race in more than a decade.
September 19, 2018 - Republican Jeff Johnson and DFLer Tim Walz challenged the other’s approach to education during a Minnesota governor’s race forum. The debate was focused mostly on developing the next-generation workforce for high-demand jobs. Other topics included achievement gap between white students and students of color and restructuring of public schools.
September 21, 2018 - MPR’s Nina Moini reports on Jim Knoblach, a high-ranking republican state representative, who is abruptly ending his re-election campaign. MPR News was preparing to publish detailed accusations from his daughter of inappropriate behavior toward her since childhood.
October 3, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst has a look at Walz's military service and how it has shaped him. During his two decades, Walz was part of flood fights, responded to tornadoes, and spent months on active duty deployed overseas. Segment includes interviews military members who served with Walz.
October 10, 2018 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports that the two major-party candidates for governor tangled in Willmar over who would best address the needs of rural Minnesota. Republican Jeff Johnson and Democrat Tim Walz spent 90 minutes debating transportation, health care, immigration, and other issues.
October 16, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst takes a look at the congressional career of U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who is seen as playing a bi-partisan role by some fellow legislators. Bakst highlights items such as Walz’s efforts on the Stock Act and Suicide Prevention Act.
November 2, 2018 - On the 20th anniversary of his surprise win in the Minnesota governor’s race in 1998, former Governor Jesse Ventura sits down with MPR’s Tom Crann to reflect on his time in office. Ventura discusses his legacy, accomplishments, frustrations, and mistakes in the political arena.
November 7, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports that Tim Walz, a former teacher and sergeant in the National Guard, is Minnesota's governor-elect. Walz joined a DFL sweep of statewide offices in a year when the party also regained control of the state House. Republicans retained the Minnesota Senate.