Pro-Wrestling Ventura Sworn In As Minn. Governor Page Pro-Wrestling Ventura Sworn In As Minn. Governor Page
Last updated 21 April 2015
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Jesse Ventura was sworn in today as Minnesota's governor, promising to do his best as he completed the stunning transformation from former pro wrestling bad guy that began with his upset victory in November.
Ventura took the oath of office at a star-studded ceremony attended by at least three former governors and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ventura's co-star in several movies.
``As I said on Election Night, certainly I'll make mistakes, but rest assured I will do the best job I possibly can,'' Ventura said. ``I think that's all we ask of anyone in life.''
Ventura spoke for about 15 minutes, much longer than promised, without prepared text except for a small note he read from his Navy SEAL drill instructor proclaiming his faith in Ventura.
He credited new, young voters with his success and said they must not be forgotten.
``We cannot fail. We must not fail. Because if we do, we could lose this generation. And we must not let that happen,'' he said. ``It's those young people, it's those disenchanted voters we've reached out to and brought back to the system. We have to keep strivingto do that.''
He concluded with a battle cry, a remnant from his Navy days. ``We are all Minnesotans. Now we move forward to do Minnesota's business and we will do it to the best of our ability. Hoo-ya!''
Ventura, whose only past political experience was four years as mayor of Brooklyn Park, a Minneapolis surburb, succeeds Republican Gov. Arne Carlson, who did not seek re-election after two terms.
Minnesotans shocked the nation Nov. 3 when they gave him 37 percent of the votes in his defeat of Republican Norm Coleman, mayor of St. Paul, and Democrat Hubert Humphrey III, the son of the late vice president and, until today, the state's attorney general.
He is the first Reform Party candidate to win statewide office in the nation.
``Governor-elect Ventura generated tremendous participation at the polls and new enthusiasm for the stake each of us has in government,'' state Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz said as the ceremony began. ``We can all be grateful for the renewed vigor and involvement in our democratic process.''
Todd Substad, a minister and political buff from Eagle Lake, arrived three hours before the ceremony to get one of the couple of hundred seats available to the public.
``I'm completely shocked at the election and anxious to see what he's going to do in the next four years,'' said Substad, who brought his two small children. ``He'll shake things up.''
Also taking the oath were new Lt. Gov. Mae Schunk, Attorney General Mike Hatch, Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and Treasurer Carol Johnson; and State Auditor Judi Dutcher, who began her second term.
Ventura and his wife of 23 years, Terry Ventura, decided to forgo a black-tie ball in favor of a ``people's celebration'' bash at the Target Center
Jan. 16 with live music.
Born James George Janos in 1951, Ventura graduated from Roosevelt High School and joined the elite Navy SEALs underwater demolition team. He briefly attended North Hennepin Community College before embarking on his professional wrestling career and taking the name Jesse ``The Body'' Ventura.
After the election, Ventura shrugged off his old nickname and said he wanted to be known as ``The Mind.''
He retired from the ring in 1986 and became a radio talk show host and sometime actor. His biggest success was a turn in 1987's ``Predator'' with Schwarzenegger, in which he uttered the memorable line, ``I ain't got time to bleed.'' That now is the working title of a planned biography.