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Wetterling, Klobuchar move toward Senate runs
March 18, 2005

Patty Wetterling lost in her congressional bid to unseat Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy in November. If she enters the Senate race, there's a chance for a rematch because Kennedy has announced his intention to run for the Senate. (MPR file photo)

St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) DFLers Patty Wetterling and Amy Klobuchar are moving forward with their prospective Senate campaigns, with Wetterling sending out a fund-raising letter and Klobuchar setting up a campaign Web site.

Wetterling, a children's safety advocate, wrote a letter to supporters that says she needs help to make her dream of becoming a U.S. senator a reality.

Klobuchar, the Hennepin County Attorney, unveiled a Web site, and said in a statement Friday, "I am preparing to run for the U.S. Senate because I believe I will make a difference for the people of Minnesota."

Wetterling, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year, is using her congressional campaign Web site to solicit donations for a possible Senate campaign.

Mark Rotenberg, the chief lawyer at the University of Minnesota, has formed an exploratory committee for a possible run.

Other potential DFL candidates include Minneapolis attorney Mike Ciresi, state Rep. Tom Rukavina, former state Sen. Jerry Janezich and Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation President Ford Bell.

Wetterling lost in her congressional bid to unseat Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy in November. Kennedy has announced his decision to run for the Senate and has drawn some strong support within the Republican Party.

Former Sen. Rod Grams also is a candidate for the Republican nomination.