American Political Personality Of The Day 17.08
In my research american politics has seen many figures who, through hard work and sharp judgment, built their standing from local politics all the way to the national stage. One such name is Norm Coleman, who served as United States Senator from Minnesota and, before that, as mayor of the city of Saint Paul. His journey was not limited to politics alone; he also made his mark as a prosecutor, an attorney, and later as a lobbyist.
Early Life and Education
Norman Bertram Coleman Jr. was born on August 17, 1949, in New York City. He was raised in a Jewish family in Brooklyn, where he received his early education. He later earned his degree in political science from Hofstra University. For his legal education, he first attended Brooklyn Law School before completing his degree at the University of Iowa College of Law in 1976.
Start of His Career
Coleman began his professional life as a prosecutor in the Minnesota Attorney General’s office. Here he gained legal experience that would later become the foundation of his political career. In his early years, he was affiliated with the Democratic Party and described himself as a liberal Democrat.
Serving as Mayor of Saint Paul
In 1993, Coleman won the mayoral election in Saint Paul, the capital and second largest city of Minnesota. He held this important position from 1994 to 2002. During his tenure as mayor, he focused heavily on revitalizing downtown Saint Paul and also worked to bring major sports teams to the city, including the Minnesota Wild hockey team. This was a result of his policymaking and planning abilities, which led to growth in the city’s economic activity.
The Decision to Switch Parties
In 1996, Coleman made a significant and surprising decision when he left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party. This shift was driven by his conservative views, which no longer aligned with the direction of the Democratic Party at the time. Even after switching parties, he was reelected mayor as a Republican, which was proof of his popularity.
Running for Governor
In 1998, Coleman ran as the Republican candidate for Governor of Minnesota. This race was notable because he faced former professional wrestler and third party candidate Jesse Ventura. Coleman was not successful in this race, but the election established him as a strong political figure at the state level.
The Path to the Senate
In 2002, Coleman ran for the United States Senate from Minnesota. His opponent was the incumbent Democratic Senator, Paul Wellstone. Shortly before the election, a tragic event occurred when Wellstone died in a plane crash. Walter Mondale was named as the replacement candidate, but Coleman went on to win the election and was sworn in as Senator in January 2003.
Service in the Senate and Achievements
Coleman served his Senate term from 2003 to 2009. During this time, he positioned himself as a moderate Republican who favored bipartisan solutions. He paid particular attention to foreign policy and homeland security issues, which were political priorities in the post 9/11 era. He also served as chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, where he played a significant role in investigating the scandal linked to the United Nations Oil for Food Program. In addition, he supported agricultural policies and rural development in the interest of Minnesota’s farmers.
The 2008 Election and Defeat
In 2008, Coleman attempted to defend his Senate seat again, but faced Democratic candidate Al Franken. This election was so close that the result was not announced for months. After an eight month long legal battle and recount process, the Minnesota Supreme Court declared Al Franken the winner in June 2009, by a margin of just 312 votes. To this day, Coleman remains the last Republican to have represented Minnesota in the Senate.
Later Life and Career
After retiring from the Senate, Coleman turned his attention back to his legal career. In 2011, he joined the law firm Hogan Lovells as Senior Counsel. There, he used his experience and political connections to serve clients, particularly on corporate and international matters.
Norm Coleman’s Political Legacy
Norm Coleman’s story is an example of how a person can journey from local politics all the way to the national level. His career was a complete blend of ideological change, difficult elections, and service in the field of policy. His hard work and perseverance serve as a lesson for new politicians that achieving one’s goals is possible despite obstacles.