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Posted on Tue, Jun. 18, 2002 |   |
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Ventura bows out Pioneer Press Although the governor said he made his decision several weeks ago, his announcement followed media reports of parties held by his son, Tyrel Ventura, in the official Governors Residence that reportedly resulted in damaged property. ;It's difficult to do these public service jobs when your family can be assassinated at any moment by the media, rightly or wrongly,; Ventura said in his announcment during a scheduled appearance on Minnesota Public Radio. He called the allegations about his son's parties pathetic. The governor met with his top advisors Tuesday morning and shortly after that meeting Jack Uldrich, deputy planning director and chairman of the Independence Party of Minnesota, confirmed that the governor told his staff this morning that he will not seek a second term. I am not seeking reelection again, Ventura announced on the radio moments later. Ventura said he made the decision not to run before his recent trip to China ; a trade mission he said was the high point of his tenure. He said he withheld his decision to avoid politicizing the event. Ventura said his desire to protect his family's privacy weighed heavily in his decision. He said he made this decision before recent allegations of partying. Ventura said his wife fully supported his decision to return the private sector. Terry Ventura has said in recent weeks that she was urging the governor not to run again. "I made this decision before this latest bunch of lies," he said. "What's next? Are they going to attack Jade? Are they going to attack my handicapped daughter?" he asked about the media. Ventura said the recent stories resulted from a sensationalistic media and a disgruntled staff from the governor's mansion. "My son is a terrific kid", said Ventura. "He's being misportrayed. He's being libeled. He's being slandered." Ventura said it was unlikely he would change his mind and cheerfully resisted callers who urged him to run again. "My family comes first," Ventura said. "I'm going to make the decision based on what's best for my family." Ventura said he would have won if he had decided to run. He said he faced a stronger field of opponents when he was elected in 1998 and dismissed the threat of his current opponents Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate Roger Moe and Republican Tim Pawlenty. "Both of them showed their leadership in the legislative session and it was a failure," Ventura said. First Lady Terry Ventura also appeared on the radio show and said "I just can't wait to have him home again." She thanked the people of Minnesota for supporting the family and their charitable efforts. "I feel like being First Lady was kind of like childbirth," she said. "There was a lot of pain but the end result was what was important." Ventura said he was unsure what he would do next but would entertain offers relayed through his agents. "I don't know,"; said Ventura. "I'll go pursue something. I've always reinvented myself. I am sure I will rise up again. I will just say this: The media better watch out." |
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