Campaign 2000 focused primarily on the race for the U.S. Senate seat held by Rod Grams, but hard-fought battles emerged in several congressional districts as well as seats in the Legislature. In the end, it was a good night for Democrats in Minnesota. You'll find all of the political stories - national and local - in this section. Nationally, of course, the election of 2000 will be remembered for the deadlock between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George Bush, which wasn't decided until December.

Senate Race
DFLer Mark Dayton is headed to Washington after defeating incumbent Republican Rod Grams. Unofficial returns show Dayton with 49 percent of the vote and Grams with 43 percent. Independence Party candidate James Gibson finished a distant third with six percent, but enough to keep major-party status.
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McCollum Elected to Congress
Minnesota's fourth congressional district is staying in Democratic hands with Betty McCollum's victory over Republican Linda Runbeck and the Independence Party's Tom Foley. McCollum is only the second woman in state history to be elected to Congress and the first in more than 40 years.
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Congressional Races Feature Close Contests
Six incumbents in Minnesota's eight congressional districts won back their seats. The two closest races were in Minnesota's second and sixth districts. In the sixth, voters are sending back Democratic Congressman Bill Luther after he engaged in a tight rematch with Republican challenger John Kline. In the second district, Republican challenger Mark Kennedy won.
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Voters Give More Money to Schools
Saint Paul public schools will gain an additional $105 million over the next five years. Voters in the state's second-largest school district approved their first-ever excess tax levy referendum by a margin of 57 to 43 percent. In Minneapolis, voters overwhelmingly renewed a school district levy for another 10 years.
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U.S. Senate Debate - MPR's Fitzgerald Forum
November 5, 2000
In the final debate of Campaign 2000, the three major candidates for U.S. Senate - James Gibson, Rod Grams, and Mark Dayton - took part in a spirited debate at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul. The debate focused on Social Security and health care issues.
(Hour One | Hour Two)

Third District Candidates Debate - MPR's Midday
November 2, 2000
Incumbent Jim Ramstad (Republican) and challenger Sue Shuff (DFL) appeared on MPR's Midday with Gary Eichten to discuss the issues in their race.
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Fifth District Candidates Debate - MPR's Midday
November 2, 2000
Incumbent Martin Sabo (DFL) and challenger Frank Taylor (Republican) appeared on MPR's Midday with Gary Eichten to discuss the issues in their race.
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Fourth District Candidates Debate - MPR's Midday
October 30, 2000
Linda Runbeck, Betty McCollum, and Tom Foley debated on MPR's Midday with Gary Eichten. They're vying for the seat of the late congressman, Bruce Vento.
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Democratic National Convention - Los Angeles
Hear major speeches from the convention, learn about the Minnesota delegation, read the daily reporter's notebook. We also provide a slideshow of convention activity. August 14 - August 18, 2000
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Republican National Convention - Philadelphia
Hear major speeches from the convention, learn about the Minnesota delegation, read the daily reporter's notebook. We also provide a slideshow of convention activity. July 31 - August 3, 2000
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