Here’s your chance to ‘Ask the Governor’ a question

Have you ever wanted to ask Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton his views on current issues regarding the state?

Here's your chance. Dayton will be a part of a question and answer session entitled "Ask the Governor" at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, in room 204, Gorecki Center on the College of Saint Benedict campus. The event, which will be moderated by Gary Eichten, is free and open to the public.

The event was originally scheduled for Nov. 11, but was postponed due to health issues in Dayton's family.

Dayton is Minnesota's 40th governor, serving since 2011. In 2010, Dayton won a three-way election against Republican candidate Tom Emmer and Independence candidate Tom Horner to become governor. He won reelection in 2014 as Dayton defeated Republican challenger Jeff Johnson.

Previously, he was a United States Senator for Minnesota from 2001-07, and the State Auditor from 1991-95. Dayton was born in Minneapolis and raised in Long Lake.

This marks the second time that Dayton has come to the CSB. His first visit was in February 2013 for a similar event with Eichten.

Dayton first gained national attention in 1982 during his unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign. Dayton defeated former U.S. senator and SJU alumnus Eugene McCarthy in the Democratic primary. He then faced Republican candidate and SJU alumnus David Durenberger in the general election and lost.

Eichten is a 1969 graduate of SJU. He is Minnesota Public Radio's news editor-at-large and retired host of the popular "Midday" program.

Eichten has worn many hats during his 40-plus-year career at MPR, including news director, special events producer and station manager. He has served as host for MPR's live, special events news coverage, and has hosted all of the major news programs on MPR, including "Midday," which he hosted for more than 20 years. Eichten began his career at MPR as a student announcer at KSJR in Collegeville (MPR's first station).

This event is sponsored by the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement.