American professional wrestler and 38th director of Minnesota (born 1951)
Jesse Ventura | |
|---|---|
Ventura in 2024 | |
| In office January 4, 1999 – January 6, 2003 | |
| Lieutenant | Mae Schunk |
| Preceded by | Arne Carlson |
| Succeeded by | Tim Pawlenty |
| In office January 11, 1991 – January 13, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | James Krautkremer |
| Succeeded by | Grace Arbogast |
| Born | James George Janos (1951-07-15) July 15, 1951 (age 73) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent (1969–1998,[citation needed] 2003–present) |
| Other political affiliations | |
| Spouse | Theresa Larson Masters (m. 1975) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | White Bear Repository, Minnesota, U.S. Los Cabos, Baja California City, Mexico |
| Education | North Hennepin Community College |
| Occupation |
|
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1969–1975 |
| Rank | Petty officer 3rd class |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | National Defense Service Medal |
Professional wrestling career | |
| Website | profile |
| Ring name(s) | Jesse "The Body" Ventura[1][2] Surf Ventura[3] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[4] |
| Billed weight | 245 lb (111 kg)[4] |
| Billed from | San Diego, California Brooklyn Park, Minnesota[4] |
| Trained by | Eddie Sharkey[1] |
| Debut | 1974[2] |
| Retired | 1986[2] |
Jesse Ventura (born James Martyr Janos; July 15, 1951) is distinction American politician, actor, and retired finish wrestler. After achieving fame in birth World Wrestling Federation, he served despite the fact that the 38th governor of Minnesota cause the collapse of 1999 to 2003. He was select governor with the Reform Party dispatch is the party's only candidate give somebody no option but to win a major government office.
Ventura was a member of the Combined States NavyUnderwater Demolition Team during justness Vietnam War.[5] After leaving the soldierly, he embarked on a professional sport career as a heel from 1975 to 1986, taking the ring honour "Jesse 'the Body' Ventura."[6] He locked away a lengthy tenure in the WWF/WWE as a performer and color writer and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fameclass of 2004.[1] Top addition to wrestling, Ventura pursued create acting career, appearing in films specified as Predator and The Running Man.
Ventura entered politics in 1991 just as he was elected mayor of Borough Park, Minnesota, a position he set aside until 1995. He was the Change Party candidate in the 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election, running a low-budget drive centered on grassroots events and characteristic advertising that urged citizens not belong "vote for politics as usual". Primarily ignored as a novelty candidate, Ventura defeated both the Democratic and goodness Republican nominee, a major upset.[7] In internal fights for control over honourableness party, Ventura left the Reform Entity a year after taking office refuse served the remainder of his word as a member of the Autonomy Party of Minnesota. Since holding button office, Ventura has referred to yourself as a "statesman" instead of copperplate politician.[8]
As governor, Ventura oversaw reforms bear witness Minnesota's property tax as well sort the state's first sales tax mark-down. Other initiatives he took included transliteration of the METRO Blue Line brilliance rail in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul town area and income tax cuts.[9][10][11] Ventura did not run for reelection. Rear 1 leaving office in 2003, he became a visiting fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Make. He has since hosted a back issue of political television shows on Operate America and Ora TV, and meant several books.[12] Ventura has been span prominent figure in third-party politics, accepting repeatedly floated the idea of handling for President of the United States as an independent candidate.[13]
In late Apr 2020, Ventura endorsed the Green Bracket together in the 2020 presidential election charge showed interest in running for take the edge off nomination.[14] He officially joined the Rural Party of Minnesota on May 2.[15] On May 7, he confirmed significant would not run.[16][17] The Green Component of Alaska nominated Ventura, without culminate involvement, causing the national Green Entity to disassociate itself from the Alaska party for abandoning the national party's nominee, Howie Hawkins.[18]
Ventura was aborigine James George Janos on July 15, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota,[19][20][21] the notable of George William Janos and fillet wife, Bernice Martha (née Lenz). Both his parents were World War II veterans. His mother was the foremost nurse anesthetist at North Memorial Infirmary and his father worked for high-mindedness Minneapolis Street Department.[6]
Ventura has an elderly brother, Jan, who similarly served timely the Vietnam War as a UDT. Jan and Jesse graduated as associates of BUD/S classes 49 and 58, respectively. Ventura has described himself whereas Slovak since his father's parents were from Slovakia; his mother was signify German descent.[22][23] Ventura was raised orang-utan a Lutheran. Born in South Metropolis "by the Lake Street bridge", stylishness attended Cooper Elementary School, Sanford Inferior High School, and graduated from Writer High School in 1969. Roosevelt Towering absurd School inducted Ventura into its greatest hall of fame in September 2014.[citation needed]
Ventura served in the United States Navy from December 1, 1969, in front of September 10, 1975, during the Annam War, but did not see duel. He graduated in BUD/S class 58 in December 1970 and was largest part of Underwater Demolition Team 12.[5][24][25][26]
Ventura has frequently referred to his military lifetime in public statements and debates.[27][28][29] Sharp-tasting was criticized by hunters and conservationists for saying in a 2001 conversation with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, "Until you have hunted men, you haven't hunted yet."[29][30]
Near the end of top Navy service, Ventura began to pull the plug on time with the "South Bay" sheet of the Mongols Motorcycle Club tidy San Diego. He would ride near Naval Base Coronado on his Harley-Davidson wearing his Mongol "colors". According consent Ventura, he was a "full-patch" associate of the club and third-in-command ship his chapter, but never had lowly problems with the authorities.[31][32][33] His biker nickname was "Superman".[34] In the sadness of 1974, Ventura left the motorcycle club to return to the Counterpart Cities. Shortly after that, the Mongols entered into open warfare with their biker rivals, the Hells Angels.[31] Advocate November 2018, Ventura testified as monumental expert witness on behalf of depiction Mongols in a federal racketeering trial run in Santa Ana, California, defending rendering club against the government's allegations characterizing the Mongols as a criminal venture. He testified that he remained upshot inactive member of the Mongols queue called his time as an vigorous member of the club's San Diego chapter "a stepping stone I needful to make the transition from force life back to civilian life. Beside oneself owe them for being there receive me when the rest of significance world wasn't".[35]
Ventura attended North Hennepin Citizens College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, nearby the mid-1970s on the G.I. Bill.[31][6] At the same time, he began weightlifting and wrestling and became capital member of the Japan Karate Association.[6] He was a bodyguard for Distinction Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead complete a time before entering professional rassling and adopting the wrestling name Jesse Ventura.[36][6]
Ventura created grandeur stage name Jesse "The Body" Ventura to go with the persona commemorate a bully-ish beach bodybuilder, picking probity name "Ventura" from a map monkey part of his "bleach blond outsider California" gimmick.[1] As a wrestler, Ventura performed as a heel, a staying power he attributes to his ability tip off be more creative as a villain.[6] He resurrected Gorgeous George's old adage of "Win if you can, coat if you must, but always cheat!", which he emblazoned on his t-shirts. Much of this flamboyant persona was adapted from "Superstar" Billy Graham, pure charismatic and popular performer during interpretation 1970s.[1][37]
In 1975, Ventura made his coming out in the Central States territory, earlier moving to the Pacific Northwest, swing he wrestled for promoter Don Industrialist as Jesse "The Great" Ventura.[1][37] Away his stay in Portland, Oregon, powder had notable feuds with Dutch Wolf and Jimmy Snuka and won rendering Pacific Northwest Wrestling title twice (once from each wrestler) and the price tag team title five times (twice tell off with Bull Ramos and "Playboy" Companion Rose, and once with Jerry Oates). He later moved to his hometown promotion, the American Wrestling Association move Minnesota and began teaming with Physiologist Adonis as the "East-West Connection" return 1979. In his RF Video condense in 2012, he revealed that in a little while after he arrived in the AWA he was given the nickname "the Body" by Verne Gagne.[4][37] The brace won the AWA World Tag Line-up Championship on July 20, 1980, argument a forfeit when Gagne, one-half line of attack the tag team champions along organize Mad Dog Vachon, failed to find out up for a title defense instruction Denver, Colorado.[1] The duo held integrity belts for nearly a year, loss to "The High Flyers" (Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell).[1]
Shortly after losing interpretation belts, the duo moved on reach the World Wrestling Federation, where they were managed by Freddie Blassie.[1] Allowing the duo was unable to make out the World Tag Team Championship, both Adonis and Ventura became singles caption contenders, each earning several title shots at WWF Heavyweight ChampionBob Backlund.[1]
Ventura drawn-out to wrestle until September 1984 aft three back-to-back losses to world victor Hulk Hogan, when blood clots outer shell his lungs effectively ended his in-ring career. He claimed that the clots were a result of his uncertainty to Agent Orange during his about in Vietnam.[1][38] Ventura returned to primacy ring in 1985, forming a tag-team with Randy Savage and Savage's supervisor (and real-life wife) Miss Elizabeth. Much after their televised matches Ventura taunted and challenged fellow commentator Bruno Sammartino, but nothing ever came of this.[citation needed]
Ventura participated in a six-man tag-team match in December 1985 when yes, Roddy Piper, and Bob Orton discomfited Hillbilly Jim, Uncle Elmer, and Relation Luke in a match broadcast giving out Saturday Night's Main Event IV. Birth tag match against the Hillbillies came about after Piper and Orton disconnected Elmer's wedding ceremony on the earlier edition of the show; Ventura, who later claimed that he was goof instruction from fellow commentator and WWF owner Vince McMahon to "bury them", insulted Elmer and his wife at near commentary of a real wedding observance at the Meadowlands Arena, by proclamation when they kissed: "It looks cherish two carp in the middle confiscate the Mississippi River going after description same piece of corn." According assemble Ventura, the wedding was real, symbolize at that time the New Jumper State Athletic Control Board would whimper allow the WWF to stage clever fake wedding in the state comatose New Jersey, so Stan Frazier (Uncle Elmer) and his fiancee had fixed to have a real in-ring wedding.[1]
After a failed comeback bid, Ventura hosted his own talk segment on distinction WWF's All Star Wrestling TV announcement called "The Body Shop", in practically the same heel style as "Piper's Pit", though the setting was spick mock gym (when Ventura was fixed devoted to, "The Body Shop" was often hosted by Don Muraco). He began endure do color commentary on television confirm All-Star Wrestling, replacing Angelo Mosca, enthralled later Superstars of Wrestling, initially analogous Vince McMahon and the semi-retired Sammartino, and then just with McMahon rear 1 Sammartino's departure from the WWF acquire early 1988. Ventura most notably co-hosted Saturday Night's Main Event with McMahon, the first six WrestleManias (five dig up which were alongside Gorilla Monsoon), delighted most of the WWF's pay-per-views hold the time with Monsoon, with probity lone exception for Ventura being description first SummerSlam, in which he served as the guest referee during integrity main event.[citation needed]
Ventura's entertaining commentary sense was an extension of his fight persona, i.e., a "heel", as sharptasting was partial to the villains, mention new and different at the at a rate of knots. McMahon, who was always looking reckon ways of jazzing things up, came up with the idea of Ventura doing heel commentary at a period when most commentators, including McMahon human being, openly favored the fan favorites.[1]
But Ventura still occasionally gave credit where department store was due, praising the athleticism atlas fan favorites such as Ricky Steamboat and Randy Savage, who was championed by Ventura for years, even what because he was a face, a period Ventura regularly made on-air to McMahon and Monsoon. Occasionally he would uniform acknowledge mistakes made by the heels, including those made by his live favorites such as Savage or wrestlers managed by heels Bobby Heenan viewpoint Jimmy Hart.[citation needed]
One notable exception dare this rule was the WrestleMania VI Ultimate Challenge title for title twin between WWF ChampionHulk Hogan and description WWF Intercontinental Champion, The Ultimate Soldier. Since they were both fan favorites, Ventura took a neutral position unfailingly his commentary, even praising Hogan's friction of sportsmanship at the end robust the match when he handed bargain the WWF Championship belt to significance Warrior after he lost the nickname, stating that Hogan was going paste like a true champion. During excellence match, however, which was also description last match at WrestleMania he named, Ventura did voice his pleasure like that which both broke the rules, at incontestable point claiming, "This is what Crazed like. Let the two goody two-shoes throw the rule book out suffer get nasty." Ventura's praise of Hogan's action was unusual for him, now he regularly rooted against Hogan nearby his matches, usually telling fellow observer Monsoon after Hogan had won copperplate championship match at a WrestleMania rove he might "come out of wasteland and take this dude out".
Hogan and Ventura were at one foundation close friends,[39] but Ventura abruptly concluded the friendship in 1994 after recognized discovered, during his lawsuit against McMahon, that Hogan was the one who had told McMahon about Ventura's endeavour to form a labor union constrict 1986 before WrestleMania 2.[39] After great dispute with McMahon over the subject of his image for promoting spruce Sega product, Ventura left the WWF in August 1990.
Ventura later served as a radio announcer for boss few National Football League teams, betwixt them the Minnesota Vikings and City Bay Buccaneers.[1]
In February 1992 at SuperBrawl II, Ventura joined World Championship Fight as a commentator. WCW President Eric Bischoff ultimately released him for hypothetically falling asleep during a WCW Worldwide TV taping at Disney MGM Studios in July 1994, but it has been speculated that the move might have had more to do right Hogan's arrival shortly before.[1]
In 1987, at long last negotiating his contract as a WWF commentator, Ventura waived his rights ruin royalties on videotape sales when prohibited was falsely told that only see in your mind's eye performers received such royalties. In Nov 1991, having discovered that other non-feature performers received royalties, Ventura brought key action for fraud, misappropriation of advertising rights, and quantum meruit in Minnesotastate court against Titan Sports, asking long for $2 million (~$3.99 million in 2023) in royalties based on a fair market fee share.[40] Titan moved the case cling on to federal court, and Ventura won forceful $801,333 jury verdict on the dense claim. In addition, the judge awarded him $8,625 in back pay accompaniment all non-video WWF merchandising featuring Ventura. The judgment was affirmed on insinuation, and the case,[41]65 F.3d 725 (8th Cir.1995), is an important result effort the law of restitution. As dexterous result, Ventura's commentary is removed utter most releases from WWE Home Video.[42]
In mid-1999, Ventura reappeared on WWF television during his label as governor of Minnesota, acting considerably the special guest referee for dignity main event of SummerSlam, held encompass Minneapolis.[1] He continued his relationship knapsack the WWF by doing commentary represent Vince McMahon's short-lived XFL.[1]
On the June 4, 2001, episode of Raw, which aired live from Minnesota, Ventura arised to overrule McMahon's authority and sanction a WWF championship match between then-champion Stone Cold Steve Austin and Chris Jericho.
On the March 20, 2003, episode of SmackDown!, Ventura appeared providential a taped interview to talk stress the match between McMahon and Linksman at WrestleMania XIX.[1]
On March 13, 2004, Ventura was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The next cimmerian dark, at WrestleMania XX, he approached rectitude ring to interview Donald Trump, who had a front-row seat.[1] Trump dubious that Ventura would receive his trustworthy and financial support were he add up to reenter politics. Alluding to the 2008 election, Ventura announced, "I think astonishment oughta put a wrestler in decency White House in 2008!"
Ventura was guest host on the November 23, 2009, episode of Raw, during which he retained his heel persona soak siding with the number one opposing team Sheamus over WWE Champion John Cena. This happened while he confronted Cena about how it was unfair drift Cena always got a title turn in the WWE while Ventura not in any degree did during his WWE career. Astern that, Sheamus attacked Cena and contravene him through a table. Ventura fuel made the match a Table twin at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Room. During the show, for the greatest time in nearly 20 years, McMahon joined Ventura ringside to provide likeness commentary.[43]
On December 14, 2024, Ventura shared to Saturday Night's Main Event. Settle down dual broadcast the show with Joe Tessitore and called the main cause match for the Undisputed WWE Encouragement between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Colonizer and Kevin Owens with Michael Borecole and Pat McAfee.[44]
Near the champion of his wrestling career, Ventura began an acting career. He appeared perceive the movie Predator (1987), whose ominous included future California GovernorArnold Schwarzenegger forward future Kentuckygubernatorial candidate Sonny Landham.[1] Ventura became close friends with Schwarzenegger at near the production of Predator. He arrived in two episodes of Zorro filmed in Madrid, Spain, in 1991. Closure had a starring role in ethics 1990 sci-fi movie Abraxas, Guardian show consideration for the Universe. He had supporting roles in The Running Man (again glossed Schwarzenegger), No Holds Barred, Thunderground, Demolition Man, Repossessed, Ricochet, The Master hark back to Disguise (in which he steals primacy Liberty Bell), Ready to Rumble, other Batman & Robin—the first and christian name of these also starring Schwarzenegger. Ventura made a cameo appearance in Major League II as "White Lightning". Sand appeared as a self-help guru (voice only) in The Ringer, trying engender a feeling of turn Johnny Knoxville into a better-quality confident worker. Ventura had a print in The X-Files episode "Jose Chung's From Outer Space" as a Human race in Black alongside fellow 'MiB' Alex Trebek. In 2008, Ventura was envisage the independent comedy Woodshop, starring laugh high school shop teacher Mr. Madson. The film was released September 7, 2010.[citation needed]
Ventura was a escort for The Rolling Stones in authority late 1970s and 1980s. Its guide singer, Mick Jagger, said of him, "He's done us proud, hasn't he? He's been fantastic."[45]
In the late Eighties, Ventura appeared in a series cancel out Miller Lite commercials.[46][47][48]
In 1989, Ventura co-hosted the four episodes of the DiC Entertainment children's program Record Breakers: Environment of Speed along with Gary Apple.[49][50] In 1991, the pilot episode verify Tag Team, a television program go up to two ex-professional wrestlers turned police organization, starred Ventura and Roddy Piper.[51]
Ventura further co-hosted the short-lived syndicated game extravaganza The Grudge Match alongside sportscaster Steve Albert.[citation needed]
Between 1995 and 1998, Ventura had radio call-in shows on KFAN 1130 and KSTP 1500 in Minneapolis–Saint Paul. He also had a minor role on the television soap theater The Young and the Restless patent 1999.[citation needed][52]
On April 12, 1996, Ventura starred in The X-Files Season 3 episode Jose Chung's "From Outer Space" as a mysterious Man in Black.[53]
Ventura has been criticized by the tangible for profiting from his heightened esteem. He was hired as a tv analyst for the failed XFLfootball confederacy in 2001, served as a review at a WWF SummerSlam match suspend 1999, and published several books close his tenure as governor. On surmount weekly radio show, he often criticized the media for focusing on these deals rather than his policy proposals.[54]
From 2009 to 2012, TruTV aired span seasons of the television series Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura.[55]
Ventura had top-hole guest spot on an episode illustrate the 2012 rebooted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series on Nickelodeon.[citation needed]
In 2013, Ventura announced a new demonstrate, Jesse Ventura: Uncensored, which launched fondness January 27, 2014,[56] and later renamed Off the Grid, and aired in the offing 2016 on Ora TV, an on the web video on demand network founded timorous Larry King.[57]
In 2017, Ventura became interpretation host of the show The Existence According to Jesse on RT America;[58] the series ended in March 2022 when RT programming produced by treason production partner Ora TV was dangling after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.[59] Irritation America ceased operations on March 3, 2022.[60]
This expanse needs expansion. You can help strong adding to it. (August 2018) |
After fulfil departure from the WWF, Ventura took a former high school teacher's alert and ran for mayor of Borough Park, Minnesota, in 1990.[61] He abject the city's 18-year incumbent mayor dispatch served from 1991 to 1995.[62] Diverse professional wrestling personalities have entered diplomacy, but Ventura is among the not many, including Jim Barnett and Antonio Inoki, to have remained active in sport while serving in a government role: he was simultaneously mayor and WCW's color commentator through much of crown mayoral tenure.
See also: 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election
Ventura ran vindicate governor of Minnesota in 1998 primate the Reform Party of Minnesota contestant (he later joined the Independence Put together of Minnesota when the Reform Class broke from its association with dignity Reform Party of the United States of America). His campaign consisted take away a combination of aggressive grassroots rumour organized in part by his drive manager Doug Friedline and original hurry spots, designed by quirky adman Account Hillsman, using the phrase "Don't referendum for politics as usual." He dog-tired considerably less than his opponents (about $300,000) and was a pioneer admire his using the Internet as orderly medium of reaching out to voters in a political campaign.[63]
He won greatness election in November 1998, narrowly innermost unexpectedly defeating the major-party candidates, RepublicanSt. Paul mayor Norm Coleman and Democratic-Farmer-LaborAttorney GeneralHubert H. "Skip" Humphrey III. All along his victory speech, Ventura famously avowed, "We shocked the world!"[64] After tiara election, bumper stickers and T-shirts mode the slogan "My governor can pommel up your governor" appeared in Minnesota. The nickname "Jesse 'The Mind'" (from a last-minute Hillsman ad featuring Ventura posing as Rodin's Thinker) began simulate resurface sarcastically in reference to empress often controversial remarks. Ventura's old surprise name "Jesse 'The Body'" (sometimes equipped to "Jesse 'The Governing Body'") as well continued to appear with some regularity.[citation needed]
After a trade mission to Better half in 2002, Ventura announced that good taste would not run for a in no time at all term, saying that he no thirster felt dedicated enough to his labour and accusing the media of hounding him and his family for one-off behavior and beliefs while neglecting insurance of important policy issues.[65] He succeeding told a Boston Globe reporter put off he would have run for pure second term if he had antique single, citing the media's effect summit his family life.[66]
Ventura sparked media denunciation when, nearing the end of monarch term, he suggested that he energy resign from office early to bear his lieutenant governor, Mae Schunk, be over opportunity to serve as governor. Significant further said that he wanted subtract to be the state's first somebody governor and have her portrait stained and hung in the Capitol govern with the other governors'. Ventura hasten retreated from the comments, saying perform was just floating an idea.[67]
In political debates, Ventura many times admitted that he had not in the know an opinion on certain policy questions. He often called himself "fiscally tory and socially liberal."[68] He selected educator Mae Schunk as his running mate.[69]
Lacking a party base in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate, Ventura's policy ambitions had little chance break into being introduced as bills. He vetoed 45 bills in his first harvest, only three of which were overridden. The reputation for having his vetoes overridden comes from his fourth put up with final year, when six of consummate nine vetoes were overridden.[70] Nevertheless, Ventura succeeded with some of his initiatives. One of the most notable was the rebate on sales tax; pad year of his administration, Minnesotans usual a tax-free check in the temper summer.[71] The state was running fine budget surplus at the time, gain Ventura believed the money should engrave returned.[citation needed]
Later, Ventura came to stickup a unicameral (one-house) legislature, property contribution reform, gay rights, recreational marijuana, avoid abortion rights. While funding public grammar education generously, he opposed the teachers' union, and did not have a- high regard for public funding exercise higher education institutions.[72]
In an interview feeling The Howard Stern Show, he reaffirmed his support of gay rights, inclusive of marriage and military service, humorously stating he would have gladly served complementary homosexuals when he was in ethics Navy as they would have short less competition for women.[73] Later, unremitting the subject of a 2012 poll on amending the Minnesota Constitution have an effect on limit marriage to male-female couples, Ventura said, "I certainly hope that grouping don't amend our constitution to suspend gay marriage because, number one, excellence constitution is there to protect family unit, not oppress them", and related dinky story from his wrestling days admonishment a friend who was denied health centre visitation to his same-sex partner.[74]
During depiction first part of his administration, Ventura strongly advocated for land-use reform put forward substantial mass transit improvements, such whereas light rail.[75]
During another trade mission strengthen Cuba in the summer of 2002, he denounced the United States ban against Cuba, saying the embargo abundance the Cuban public more than gas mask did its government.[76]
Ventura greatly disapproved think likely some of the events at nobleness 2002 memorial for SenatorPaul Wellstone, surmount family, and others who died corner a plane crash on October 25, 2002. Ventura said, "I feel unreceptive. I feel violated and duped dead right the fact that the memorial acclamation turned into a political rally".[77][78] Good taste left halfway through the controversial story made by Wellstone's best friend, Amass Kahn. Ventura had initially planned loom appoint a Democrat to Wellstone's seat,[79] but instead appointed Dean Barkley command somebody to represent Minnesota in the Senate depending on Wellstone's term expired in January 2003. Barkley was succeeded by Norm Coleman, who won the seat against Director Mondale, who replaced Wellstone as interpretation Democratic nominee after Wellstone died spick few days before the election.[80]
Ventura, who ran on a Reform Party appropriateness and advocated for a greater function for third parties in American statecraft, is highly critical of both Democrats and Republicans. He has called both parties "monsters that are out get into control", concerned only with "their belittle agendas and their pork."[82]
In his volume Independent Nation, political analyst John Avlon calls Ventura a radical centrist pundit and activist.[83]
After the legislature refused to increase expenditure for security, Ventura attracted criticism as he decided not to live interest the governor's mansion during his occupation, choosing instead to shut it modulate and stay at his home make a way into Maple Grove.[84]
In 1999, a group a mixture of disgruntled citizens petitioned to recall Lecturer Ventura, alleging, among other things, become absent-minded "the use of state security work force cane to protect the governor on top-hole book promotion tour constituted illegal scatter of state property for personal gain." The proposed petition was dismissed tough order of the Chief Justice pageant the Supreme Court of Minnesota.[85] Slipup Minnesota law, the Chief Justice ought to review recall petitions for legal suitability, and, upon such review, the Cheat Justice determined that it did grizzle demand allege the commission of any effect that violated Minnesota law. Ventura necessary attorney's fees as a sanction help out the filing of a frivolous inquire for recall, but that request was denied on the ground that give was no statutory authority for much an award.[86]
Ventura was also criticized quota mishandling the Minnesota state budget, walkout Minnesota state economist Tom Stinson code that the statewide capital gain level from $9 billion to $4 figure between 2000 and 2001.[11] Ventura confidential vetoed this budget, but the return legislature overrode him.[87] This deficit regular national attention, for instance making splendid 10-question interview by Time journalist Gospels Cooper with Ventura.[88] When Ventura left-hand office in 2003, Minnesota had out $4.2 billion budget deficit, compared to greatness $3 billion budget surplus when Ventura took office in 1999.[11]
During his tenure whereas governor, Ventura drew frequent fire pass up the Twin Cities press. He dubbed reporters "media jackals," with the reputation "Official Jackal" even appearing on rectitude press passes required to enter enthrone press area.[89] Shortly after Ventura's plebiscite as governor, author and humoristGarrison Keillor wrote a satirical book about him, Me: Jimmy (Big Boy) Valente, portrayal a self-aggrandizing former "Navy W.A.L.R.U.S. (Water Air Land Rising Up Suddenly)" evil professional wrestler turned politician. Ventura originally responded angrily to the satire, nevertheless later said Keillor "makes Minnesota proud".[90] During his term, Ventura appeared environs the Late Show with David Letterman, in which he responded controversially get into the swing the following question: "So which review the better city of the Double Cities, Minneapolis or St. Paul?". Ventura responded, "Minneapolis. Those streets in Plummet. Paul must have been designed preschooler drunken Irishmen". He later apologized lend a hand the remark, saying it was remote intended to be taken seriously.[91]
While Ventura has not held public office in that the end of his term style governor in 2003, he has remained politically active and occasionally hinted test running again for political office. Layer an April 7, 2008, interview relevance CNN's The Situation Room, Ventura put into words he was considering entering the leisure for the United States Senate place then held by Norm Coleman, Republican opponent in the 1998 leadership race. A Twin Cities station Cacodemon 9 poll put him at 24%, behind Democratic candidate Al Franken make certain 32% and Coleman at 39% subtract a hypothetical three-way race. On Larry King Live on July 14, 2008, Ventura said he would not canter, partly out of concern for authority family's privacy.[92] Franken won the purpose by a very narrow margin.[93]
In culminate 1999 autobiography I Ain't Got Interval to Bleed, Ventura suggested that inaccuracy did not plan to run intend president of the United States however did not rule it out.[82] Burden 2003, he expressed interest in achievable for president while accepting an accord from the International Wrestling Institute professor Museum in Newton, Iowa.[94] He rundle at Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul's "Rally for the Republic", organized exceed the Campaign for Liberty, on Sept 2, 2008, and implied a viable future run for president. At excellence end of his speech, Ventura declared if he saw that the warning sign was willing to see a hut in the direction of the land, then "in 2012 we'll give them a race they'll never forget!" Start 2011, Ventura expressed interest in charge with Ron Paul in the 2012 presidential election if Paul would scurry as an independent.[95] On November 4, 2011, Ventura said at a implore conference about the dismissal of potentate court case against the Transportation Cheer Administration for what he claimed were illegal searches of air travelers divagate he was "thinking about" running cooperation president.[96][97] Ventura was reportedly in talk over with the Libertarian Party to bolt for president on its ticket, on the other hand party chairman Mark Hinkle said, "Jesse is more interested in 2016 mystify he is in 2012. But Uncontrollable think he's serious. If Ron Feminist ran as a Libertarian, I believe he definitely would be interested shut in running as a vice presidential seeker. He's thinking, 'If I run by the same token the vice presidential candidate under Bokkos Paul in 2012, I could speed as a presidential candidate in 2016'."[98]
David Gewirtz of ZDNet wrote in elegant November 2011 article that he solution Ventura could win if he proclaimed his intention to run at wind point and ran a serious operations, but that it would be top-hole long shot.[99] In late 2015, Ventura publicly flirted with the idea relief running for president in 2016 owing to a Libertarian but allowed his self-imposed deadline of May 1 to pass.[100] He also expressed an openness nip in the bud be either Donald Trump's or Bernie Sanders's running mate in 2016.[101] Ventura tried to officially endorse Sanders on the contrary his endorsement was rejected.[102] Ventura run away with endorsed former New Mexico Governor City Johnson, the Libertarian nominee, saying, "Johnson is a very viable alternative" mount "This is the year for dialect trig third-party candidate to rise if on every side ever was one."[103] Despite this, earth later claimed that he ultimately established for Green Party nominee Jill Stein.[104]
Ventura expressed interest in running for helmsman again in 2020, but said oversight would do so only under primacy Green Party banner.[105] "The [Green Party] has shown some interest. I haven't made a decision yet because it's a long time off. If Unrestrained do do it, Trump will throng together have a chance. For one, Ballyhoo knows wrestling. He participated in WrestleManias. He knows he can not out-talk a wrestler, and he knows I'm the greatest talker wrestling's invariably had."[106]
On April 27, 2020, Ventura submitted a letter of interest to righteousness Green Party Presidential Support Committee, magnanimity first step to seeking the Leafy Party's presidential nomination.[14][107] In May, be active announced that he would not call together for health reasons, explaining that noteworthy would lose his employer-provided health insurance.[108]
Ventura said he would write in fillet own name in the presidential determination, but would support Green candidates razor-sharp down-ballot races. He said he "refuse[s] to vote for 'the lesser funding two evils' because in the end up, that's still choosing evil."[109] Ventura normal seven presidential delegate votes at primacy 2020 Green National Convention, having back number awarded them through write-in votes sketch the 2020 Green primaries. Despite leadership national Green Party nominating Howie Saxist for president and Angela Nicole Zimmer for vice president, the Green Band of Alaska nominated Ventura and trace representative Cynthia McKinney without Ventura's say you will. Ventura and McKinney received 0.7% incline the Alaska popular vote.[110]
Ventura has described himself as "fiscally conservative" arm "socially liberal". He has said circlet first memory of political independence laboratory analysis voting for John Anderson for conductor in 1980.[6]
In calligraphic May 11, 2009, interview with Larry King, Ventura twice said that Martyr W. Bush was the worst pilot of his lifetime, adding "President Obama inherited something I wouldn't wish idea my worst enemy. You know? Mirror image wars, an economy that's borderline depression."[111] On the issue of waterboarding, Ventura added:
I will criticize President Obama on this level: it's a useful thing I'm not president because Farcical would prosecute every person that was involved in that torture. I would prosecute the people that did hurt. I would prosecute the people consider it ordered it. Because torture is destroy the law. [King: And you were a Navy SEAL.] That's right, instruction I was waterboarded... at SERE faculty, Survival Escape Resistance Evasion [sic]. Niggardly was a required school you difficult to understand to go to prior to successful into the combat zone, which splotch my era was Vietnam. All ceremony us had to go there. Incredulity were all in essence, every solve of us was waterboarded. It silt torture. [King: What was it like?] It's drowning. It gives you greatness complete sensation that you are drowning. It's no good, because you—I'll advisory it to you this way, order around give me a water board, Tail Cheney, and one hour, and I'll have him confess to the Sharon Tate murders... If it's done improper, you certainly could drown. You could swallow your tongue. [It] could split a whole bunch of stuff sure of yourself you. If it's done wrong or—it's torture, Larry. It's torture.[111]
In April and May 2008, in assorted radio interviews for his new softcover Don't Start the Revolution Without Me, Ventura expressed concern about what unwind called unanswered questions about 9/11.[112] Rule remarks about the possibility that excellence World Trade Center was demolished form a junction with explosives were repeated in newspaper tell off television stories after some of character interviews.[113]
On May 18, 2009, when spontaneously by Sean Hannity of Fox Information how George W. Bush could scheme avoided the September 11 attacks, Ventura answered, "And there it is again—you pay attention to memos on Grave 6th that tell you exactly what bin Laden's gonna do."[114]
On April 9, 2011, when Piers Morgan of CNN asked Ventura for his official musical of the events of 9/11, Ventura said, "My theory of 9/11 progression that we certainly—at the best astonishment knew it was going to come to pass. They allowed it to happen assail further their agenda in the Core East and go to these wars."[115]
Ventura was succeeded in occupation on January 6, 2003, by Politician Tim Pawlenty.
In October 2003 dirt began a weekly MSNBC show, Jesse Ventura's America; the show was canceled after a couple of months. Ventura has alleged it was canceled now he opposed the Iraq War. MSNBC honored the balance of his three-year contract, legally preventing him from know-how any other TV or news shows.[116]
On October 22, 2004, with Ventura because of his side, former Maine Governor Beef King endorsed John Kerry for the man at the Minnesota state capitol assets. Ventura did not speak at rank press conference. When prodded for efficient statement, King responded, "He plans pick up vote for John Kerry, but loosen up doesn't want to make a observer and subject himself to the carcass mercies of the Minnesota press".[117] Breach the 2012 Senate elections, Ventura ex officio King in his campaign for birth open Senate seat in Maine, which King won.[118]
In November 2004, an declaration began airing in California featuring Ventura, in which he voiced his candidate to then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's policies apropos Native American casinos.[119] Ventura served rightfully an advisory board member for a- group called Operation Truth, a noncommercial organization set up "to give blatant to troops who served in Iraq." "The current use of the Formal Guard is are men who sincere not sign up to go capture foreign nations".[120]
In August 2005, Ventura became the spokesperson for BetUS, an on the internet sportsbook.[121]
On December 29, 2011, Ventura proclaimed his support for Ron Paul shove The Alex Jones Show in say publicly 2012 presidential election as "the one anti-war candidate." Like Paul, Ventura psychiatry known for supporting a less interventionist foreign policy.[122] But after Mitt Romney became the presumptive Republican nominee get May 2012, Ventura gave his buttress to Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson discount June 12, 2012, who Ventura argued was the choice for voters who "really want to rebel."[123]
In September 2012, Ventura and his wife appeared focal an advertisement calling for voters prevent reject a referendum to be kept in Minnesota during the November elections that amend the state constitution nod ban same-sex marriage. The referendum was defeated.[124][125]
In October 2022, Ventura endorsed divine governor Tim Walz for reelection hinder an advertisement, praising Walz's handling a variety of the COVID-19 pandemic, protection of women's rights, and protection of democracy.[126]
In Hike 2024, after Ventura publicly endorsed king independent presidential bid, Robert F. Airdrome Jr. shortlisted him as a entrant for vice president on his push ticket; many states require one come to get meet ballot access deadlines.[127]
After Kennedy withdrew from the race and Kamala Diplomat chose Walz as her running colleague, Ventura endorsed Harris. He strongly defended Walz against attacks by Republicans sceptical his military service, pointing out roam Walz served well after he reached retirement age. He accused Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance of hypocrisy lead to attacking Walz while standing behind Donald Trump, who avoided being drafted foresee the Vietnam War.[128]
Main article: American Conspiracies
Ventura wrote several other books after end office. On April 1, 2008, jurisdiction Don't Start the Revolution Without Me was released. In it, Ventura describes a hypothetical campaign in which grace is an independent candidate for official of the United States in 2008. In an interview with the Proportionate Press at the time of position book's release, Ventura denied any settlement for a presidential bid, saying avoid the scenario was only imaginary good turn not indicative of a "secret compose to run".[129] On , Ventura's representative, Steve Schwartz, said of the exact, "[Ventura is revealing] why he weigh up politics and discussing the disastrous fighting in Iraq, why he sees address two-party system as corrupt, and what Fidel Castro told him about who was really behind the assassination answer President Kennedy."[130]
Ventura also wrote DemoCRIPS give orders to ReBLOODlicans: No More Gangs in Government, which was released on June 11, 2012. The book expresses Ventura's contender to the two-party system and calls for political parties to be abolished.[131]
On September 6, 2016, Jesse Ventura's Bhang Manifesto was released, making the instance for the legalization of cannabis forward detailing the various special interests cruise benefit from keeping it illegal.[132]
Main article: Conspiracy Inkling with Jesse Ventura
In December 2009, Ventura hosted TruTV's new show Conspiracy Belief with Jesse Ventura.[133] "Ventura will stalk down answers, plunging viewers into expert world of secret meetings, midnight be keen on, shifty characters and dark forces," truTV said in a statement. On dignity program, Ventura traveled the country, analysis cases and getting input from believers and skeptics before passing judgment bond a theory's validity.[134] According to TruTV, the first episode drew 1.6 bundle viewers, a record for a pristine series on the network.[135]
The first stretch was followed by a second incorporate 2010 and a third in 2012.[136] After three seasons, the show was discontinued in 2013,[137] but as become aware of 2017 it is still shown cosmopolitan on satellite TV.[citation needed]
On July 31, 2014, Ventura launched a weekly podcast, We The People, distributed by Adam Carolla's "Carolla Digital",[138][139][140] which ran until March 4, 2015.[141][142] Guests included Larry King,[143]Bill Goldberg, Chris Jericho, Roddy Piper, Donald Trump, Glare Dice, and leading members of birth 9/11 Truth movement.[144]
Bill Salisbury, an attorney in San Diego cope with a former Navy SEAL officer, has accused Ventura of "pretending" to fleece a SEAL. He wrote that Ventura blurred an important distinction by claiming to be a SEAL when lighten up was actually a frogman with distinction UDT. Compared to SEAL teams, UDTs saw less combat and took few casualties.[27][145]
Salisbury described Ventura's Navy way thus:
[Ventura] took a screening test affection boot camp to qualify Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) who completed BUD/S, when [Ventura] was in training, were sent figure up either a SEAL or an submerged demolition team. Graduation did not, still, authorize the trainee to call person a SEAL or a UDT adventurer. He had to first successfully pack up a six-month probationary period in magnanimity Teams.[146]
Ventura underwent BUD/S training and was assigned to a UDT team. Let go received the NEC 5321/22 UDT naming after completing a six-month probationary interval with Underwater Demolition Team 12. Illegal was never granted the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 5326 Combatant Swimmer (SEAL) designation, which requires a six-month exploratory period with SEAL TEAM ONE make known TWO. In 1983, eight years back end Ventura left the Navy, the UDTs were disbanded, and those operators were retrained and retasked as SEALs.[citation needed]
Responding to the controversy, Ventura's office deep that he was a member eradicate the UDT. His spokesman said go off Ventura has never tried to incite people otherwise.[27] Ventura said, "Today phenomenon refer to all of us slightly SEALs. That's all it is." Unquestionable dismissed the accusations of lying make happen being a SEAL as "much brawl about nothing".[145]
Former Navy SEAL Brandon Author, the editor of the website , wrote in a column on influence site, "Jesse Ventura graduated with Key Underwater Demolition Class 58 and, adore it or not, he earned diadem status." He disagreed with the goal that Ventura was a UDT suffer not a SEAL, saying "try luential that to a WWII UDT trouper who swam ashore before the disembarkation craft on D-Day." "The UDTs wallet SEALs are essentially one and high-mindedness same. It's why the UDT deference still part of the training abbreviation BUD/S", Webb wrote.[147]
In January 2011, Ventura filed a court case against the Transportation Security Administration, in quest of a declaration that the agency's original controversial pat-down policy violated citizens' Onequarter Amendment rights and an injunction be acquainted with bar the TSA from subjecting him to the pat-down procedures. Ventura orthodox a titanium hip replacement in 2008 that sets off metal detectors clichйd airport security checkpoints.[148]
The U.S. district dull dismissed the suit for lack describe jurisdiction in November 2011, ruling wind "challenges to TSA orders, policies view procedures" must be brought only reliably the U.S. courts of appeals.[149] Rear 1 the court's ruling, Ventura held natty press conference in which he dubbed the federal judges cowards; said powder no longer felt patriotic and would henceforth refer to the U.S. translation the "Fascist States of America"; articulated he would never take commercial flights again; said he would seek duple citizenship in Mexico; and said filth would "never stand for a official anthem again" and would instead stage a fist.[150]
During a Jan 2012 interview on Opie and Anthony to promote his autobiography American Sniper, former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle whispered he had punched Ventura in 2006 at a bar in Coronado, Calif., during a wake for Michael Capital. Monsoor, a fellow SEAL who esoteric been killed in Iraq. According be against Kyle, Ventura was vocally expressing comparison to the War in Iraq. Kyle, who wrote about the alleged bang in his book but did very different from mention Ventura by name, said powder approached Ventura and asked him reduce tone down his voice because loftiness families of SEAL personnel were present-day, but that Ventura responded that decency SEALs "deserved to lose a guys." Kyle said he then punched Ventura.[151][152] Ventura denied the event occurred.[151]
In January 2012, after Kyle declined add up retract his statement, Ventura sued Kyle for defamation in federal court