Ventura on His Education Plans, Campaign Tactics in 1998 Race

By Jessica L. Sandham

St. Paul, Minn.

In a surprise victory this past November, Reform Party nominee Jesse Ventura, 47, beat out two seasoned, major-party candidates to become the governor of Minnesota. The radio talk show host, one-time mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and former professional wrestler--known as "The Body"--chose teacher and former administrator Mae Schunk as his running mate. Staff Writer Jessica L. Sandham recently sat down with Gov. Ventura to discuss his selection of Ms. Schunk for lieutenant governor and his priorities for education.

Q. Why did you select a teacher as a running mate?

A. Because to me, the entire campaign is a tactical thing. It's like waging a war. It's a chess game. What you want to do is solidify your weaknesses. In my case, early on we found out that I was running 4-to-1, men over women. So that told me that I needed to get a...