Jesse Ventura strongly hints at Senate run, but holds off on final decision

In an interview broadcast today on National Public Radio, former governor Jesse Ventura strongly hinted to David Welna that he will run for the Senate seat currently occupied by Norm Coleman—though he declined to officially announce his candidacy, saying he would wait to make a final decision until the Tuesday filing deadline. He later told the Associated Press that it would be incorrect to interpret his NPR interview as a firm declaration of his intentions. "Ultimately," he said, "it will come down to whether I want to change my lifestyle and go to that lifestyle or not." Ventura, who says the main reason for his inclination to run is Coleman's support for the war in Iraq, would challenge Coleman and DFL nominee Al Franken.

Recent coverage of Ventura and the Senate race Blog: Run, Jesse, Run by Rich Broderick, 5//19/08 • The barely disguised antipathy Minnesota’s corporate news media displayed toward Jesse Ventura during the 1998 election and his subsequent time as governor always had more to do with snobbery and social class than policies or politics. Go ask Jesse By Mary Turck , TC Daily Planet • With the July 15 filing deadline almost at hand, Minnesota’s maverick ex-gov Jesse Ventura is keeping mum about his plans. The Jesse years by Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent • A look back at Jesse's run for governor ten years ago, and his term in office. Ventura Watch: Does Bloomberg visit suggest a Senate run? by Paul Demko, Minnesota Independent Smackdown: Ventura set to run by Rich Broderick • June 3, 2008 • As if the U.S. Senate race in Minnesota weren’t murky enough, sources close to former Governor Jesse Ventura confirm that he is all but certain to throw his hat into the ring in the not-too-distant future.

Jay Gabler is assistant editor of the Daily Planet.