The Body aims to run Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The professional wrestler formerly known as "The Body" is looking to become "The Governor."
Jesse Ventura, now a talk-radio host on KFAN-AM, put his name on the biggest card of his political career Monday as he entered the 1998 gubernatorial race on the Reform Party ticket.
"I will veto any raising of taxes over the next four years," said Ventura, who retired from wrestling in 1986. Ventura won't have his old nickname on his campaign literature.
"I want to find out if the American dream is dead. I want to find out if you have to be a career politician to lead and govern the state," he said.
Ventura, 46, has been a broadcaster for more than 10 years and he plans to keep his radio job. He has appeared in movies, too, including last year's "Batman & Robin."
He joins what may become one of the most closely watched races in the country. Among those already in the race or expected to join are Ted Mondale and Hubert Humphrey III, both sons of former vice presidents.
Ventura lives in Maple Grove and raises show horses with his wife and two teen-age children. He was Brooklyn Park mayor from 1991 to 1995 and doesn't want anyone to think he doesn't have what it takes to run the state.
"There are people who thought Brooklyn Park was going to dry up and die when I won. It didn't," he said.
Ventura won't be running a big-money campaign. He will take no donations from political action committees and will rely on $50 contributions.
"Don't judge a candidacy by how much money they raise," he said. "That puts a candidate in debt. That means the candidate owes somebody."
The resume item Ventura believes will be most helpful in the next year is his training as a member of the elite Navy SEALS.
"Elections and politics are pretty much like war witout guns and I'm pretty good at it," he said.
