December 31, 1998 - The sweepstakes for “Biggest Minnesota News Story” of 1998’ is no contest. Jesse Ventura's upset victory in the race for Governor was such a shock, his success caught almost everybody by surprise…the media, the political parties, and especially his opponents. MPR's Martin Kaste looks back on Ventura's rise.
November 2, 1998 - Sarah Stoesz, DFL analyst; Tom Horner, Republican analyst; and Dean Barkley, Reform party analyst, provide commentary on this election-eve special. Program includes interviews of gubernatorial candidates on the campaign trail around the state. Stoesz, Horner and Barkley also answer listener questions.
October 22, 1998 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports Jesse Ventura's political opponents are criticizing the Reform Party candidate's suggestion that Minnesota should consider legalizing prostitution. Ventura claims some news organizations are misquoting him, saying he supports legalized prostitution and drugs.
October 12, 1998 - Gubernatorial forum on education, held at St. Thomas University, and sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), University of St. Thomas, and Minnesota Public Radio. Norm Coleman, Republican candidate; Skip Humphrey, DFL candidate; and Jesse Ventura, Reform candidate, participated in forum. Candidates spoke and answered questions from audience.
October 9, 1998 - General election gubernatorial debate, sponsored by the Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Virginia and Cloquet Chamber of Commerce, and broadcast from Hibbing. Norm Coleman, Republican candidate; Skip Humphrey, DFL candidate; and Jesse Ventura, Reform candidate, participated in debate.
October 7, 1998 - MPR’s Amy Radil reports on the gubernatorial candidates Skip Humphrey, Norm Coleman, and Jesse Ventura debating at Hibbing High School in the Iron Range. They tailored their messages to the audience by taking on subjects like tourism, recreation and education in northeast Minnesota and invoking the image of a favorite son.
October 1, 1998 - Midday presents the first general election gubernatorial debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and broadcast from Brainerd Community College. Norm Coleman, Republican candidate; Skip Humphrey, DFL candidate; and Jesse Ventura, Reform candidate, participated in debate. Topics include state surplus, taxes, healthcare, agriculture, education, and stadium funding.
September 14, 1998 - Continuation of Skip Humphrey, Mike Freeman, Ted Mondale, Doug Johnson and Mark Dayton, the five candidates for the DFL nomination, participating in the MPR Gubernatorial Primary Debate. Candidates answer questions from the audience, with topic of crime. MPR’s Gary Eichten acts as host and moderator.
September 14, 1998 - Skip Humphrey, Mike Freeman, Ted Mondale, Doug Johnson and Mark Dayton, the five candidates for the DFL nomination, participate in the MPR Gubernatorial Primary Debate. Candidates also answer questions from the audience. MPR’s Gary Eichten acts as host and moderator.
September 9, 1998 - The Democratic-Farmer-Labor gubernatorial candidates Ted Mondale, Skip Humphrey, Mark Dayton, Mike Freeman, and Doug Johnson debate on the Minnesota News Network (MNN).