Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar
Hennepin County Attorney
In office 2nd
Preceded by	Mike Freeman
Personal details
Born	25 May 1960 Plymouth, Minnesota
Political party	Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Spouse	John Bessler
Children	Abigail
Residence(s)	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Website	http://www.amyklobuchar.com

Amy Jean Klobuchar (born May 25, 1960 in Plymouth, Minnesota) is the county attorney of Hennepin County, Minnesota and the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) candidate in the 2006 Minnesota United States Senate election.

Klobuchar was first elected to county attorney in 1998 and re-elected in 2002 with no opposition. In 2001 she was selected "Attorney of the Year" by Minnesota Lawyer. Klobuchar was president of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association from 2001 to 2003. Besides working as a prosecutor, Klobuchar was a partner at one of Minnesota's top law firms, Dorsey & Whitney, where former Vice President Walter Mondale also works. In addition, Klobuchar was a partner at another top Minnesota law firm Gray Plant and Mooty before seeking public office.

Klobuchar received her bachelor's degree in political science magna cum laude from Yale University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School. Her senior thesis at Yale, later published as the book, Uncovering the Dome, was a 300 page history of the politics and issues surrounding the development of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. Klobuchar is married to attorney John Bessler and has a daughter, Abigail. They live in Minneapolis. Her father, Jim Klobuchar, is an author and retired columnist for the Star Tribune, the largest newspaper in Minnesota.

2006 Senate race

Main article: Minnesota United States Senate election, 2006

Klobuchar was recognized early as a favorite for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination in 2006 for the U.S. Senate seat current held by Mark Dayton. Dayton announced in early 2005 that he will not seek re-election. Klobuchar won the DFL's endorsement on June 9, 2006.

She will face Constitution candidate Ben Powers, Republican candidate Mark Kennedy, Independence Party candidate Robert Fitzgerald and Green Party candidate Michael Cavlan in the general election.

Klobuchar gained the early endorsement of the majority of DFL state legislators in Minnesota during the primaries. A poll taken of DFL state delegates showed Klobuchar beating her then closest opponent, Patty Wetterling, 66% to 15%. Klobuchar was endorsed by EMILY's List on 29 September, 2005. On January 20, 2006, Wetterling dropped out of the race and endorsed Klobuchar. The only other serious candidate for the DFL endorsement was veterinarian Ford Bell, who dropped out of the race on July 10 and also endorsed Klobuchar. Former Senate candidate and prominent lawyer Mike Ciresi, who was widely seen as the only other serious potential DFL candidate, indicated on February 7, 2006 that he would not enter the race; that removal of her most significant potential competitor for the DFL nomination was viewed as an important boost for Klobuchar.

Those supporting Klobuchar for her bid for the DFL nomination point to her electoral experience, high-profile name, and record as a tough prosecutor as reasons for her electability. Opponents said they had doubts about her record as a prosecutor, given that Minneapolis has had an increase in violent crime, ability to connect with rural voters, and worry that her being backed by the DFL Party establishment may be a liability. Nonetheless, many national Democrats, such as Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee leader and New York Senator Chuck Schumer and Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln, have expressed their positive impression of Klobuchar's candidacy.

As of June 30, 2006, the Republican party nominee, Mark Kennedy had the most money on hand in the Senate race, with $4 million. Klobuchar was close behind with just over $3.5 million.

If Klobuchar wins in November, she will be the first elected female Senator from Minnesota (Muriel Humphrey, the first female Senator, was appointed, not elected). Klobuchar has consistently led Kennedy throughout the campaign, by single or double digits depending on the poll.

References

• Klobuchar's Senate Campaign Site

External links

• The Hennepin County Attorney Site
• Klobuchar's Senate Campaign Site