David Durenberger: Difference between revisions

David Ferdinand Durenberger
United States Senator from Minnesota
In office November 8, 1978 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	Muriel Humphrey
Succeeded by	Rod Grams
Personal details
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Judy Durenberger, deceased Gilda Beth Baran

David Ferdinand Durenberger (born August 19, 1934) is an American politician and a former Republican member of the U.S. Senate from Minnesota.

Durenberger was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He attended St. John's University and graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1959.^[1] He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1963.

On November 7, 1978, Durenberger was elected in a special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Hubert Humphrey, whose position had temporarily been filled by Humphrey's wife Muriel. He was reelected in 1982 and again in 1988, serving from November 8, 1978 to January 3, 1995 in the 96th, 97th, 98th, 99th, 100th, 101st, 102nd, and 103rd Congresses. He served as the chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence during the 99th Congress. Durenberger was unanimously denounced by the Senate on July 25, 1990 for unethical conduct relating to outside income. He was also disbarred for his actions. He did not run for reelection in 1994 and was succeeded by Rod Grams. In 1995 he pleaded guilty to charges of misuse of public funds while in office, and was sentenced to one year of probation.[1]

Durenberger supported John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election. Durenberger gave an interview in 2005 on the Inside Minnesota Politics Podcast, stating that he is no longer a supporter of the Republican Party but is not a supporter of the Democratic Party either. He said in an interview with Peter Idusogie that Democrats are better equipped to handle health care and that President George W. Bush was wrong about the Iraq War.

David Durenberger currently sits on the Advisory Board for the Energy Literacy Advocates.

• 1988 Race for U.S. Senate
  • David Durenberger (R) (inc.), 56%
  • Hubert H. Humphrey III (DFL), 41%

• 1982 Race for U.S. Senate
  • David Durenberger (R) (inc.), 53%
  • Mark Dayton (DFL), 47%

• 1978 Race for U.S. Senate (Special Election)
  • David Durenberger (R), 62%
  • Bob Short (DFL), 35%

• United States Congress. "David Durenberger (id: D000566)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.