Rick Kahn

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Rick Kahn was the volunteer campaign treasurer and close friend of the late senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN). As eulogist at the liberal politician's televised memorial service on October 29, 2002, Kahn delivered an impassioned tribute to Wellstone that became a call for Democrats to win the election, causing a firestorm of controversy. The backlash led to Gov. Jesse Ventura walking out of the event. Norm Coleman defeated the Democrat chosen to take Wellstone's position on the ticket, Walter Mondale, in the November 2002 elections. Prior to the controversial memorial service, Coleman was down 8 percentage points in the polls. There was an influx of contributions to the Coleman campaign from Minnesotans who felt that Kahn's words were in poor taste. Kahn has since avoided public attention as a reaction to the negative fall-out from Democrats who blamed him for costing them the election; however, he still remains somewhat active in Democratic politics, particularly in the Twin Cities metro area.