MINNESOTA
Population (1994): 4,496,000 (up 2.2% from 1990), 1.8% of U.S. total
Voting-age population: 3,362,000; 1994 turnout, 53%
Median age: 32.5 years
Median household income: $33,644 ($1,380 above U.S. median)
Unemployment: 3.4% (2.2% below U.S. average, March 1996) Last presidential election: Clinton (D): 43% Bush (R): 32% Perot (I): 24%
Congressional delegation: Seven Democrats, three Republicans
Minnesota's German and Scandinavian roots are reflected in its strong individuals, respect for work and generous social programs. Minnesotans take care of their own--the top 78 of the state's companies contribute 5% of their earnings to charity--and citizens participate in their government via local precinct caucuses. It's the land of 10,000 lakes and the Mall of America, the home of the Mayo Clinic and the state bird, the loon. These days the state of moderate Hubert Humphrey is also home to one of the nation's most vociferous antiabortion groups, as well as its most liberal Senator.
RUDY BOSCHWITZ (R) SENATE CHALLENGER
BORN: Nov. 7, 1930, Berlin, Germany EDUCATION: Johns Hopkins U, B.S., 1950; New York U, LL.B., 1953 FAMILY: Wife, Ellen; four children RELIGION: Jewish MILITARY: Army, 1954-55 OCCUPATION: Retailer POLITICAL CAREER: Republican National Committee, 1971-78; U.S. Senate, 1978-90 ADDRESS: 7415 Wayzata Boulevard, Minneapolis 55426. Tel.: 612-545-9696
Boschwitz, the German-born founder of Plywood Minnesota, faces a rematch with the unknown who unseated him in 1990 by 1% of the vote. He says Wellstone is a liberal with an itchy wallet, while he supports a conservative fiscal policy. On social issues, however, Boschwitz, in more moderate Minnesota, has distanced himself from the radical right wing of his party.
THE ISSUES
Budget NR Medicare NR Defense NR Abortion NR Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia NR NAFTA NR Welfare NR National Service NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "Our election in 1996 is about the year 2000 and beyond. It's about the kind of America we and our children and grandchildren will live in...It's about smaller government, lower taxes and individual responsibility."
PAUL WELLSTONE (D) SENIOR SENATOR
BORN: July 21, 1944, Washington EDUCATION: U of North Carolina, B.A., 1965, Ph.D., 1969 FAMILY: Wife, Sheila; three children RELIGION: Jewish MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Professor POLITICAL CAREER: Democratic National Committee, 1984-90; U.S. Senate, 1990- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 65588, St. Paul 55165. Tel.: 612-643-0828
Wellstone, the stocky upstart who shocked Minnesota politicos with a victory in 1990, faces the same man this year; now, however, Wellstone's the incumbent. He has also ruffled stodgy senatorial feathers with his wardrobe and rambunctious speeches, but the former Carleton College professor has earned respect for his solid liberalism: he's the only Senator running for re-election who voted against the recent welfare-reform bill.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare YES National Service YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)