Minnesota Portraits: A Conversation with Mark Dayton

Teacher, street counselor and the future governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton was interviewed when he was still the state auditor. The discussion revolves around his experiences growing up in a wealthy family in the 1960s, his feelings of privilege, as well as his recovery from addiction.

Listen to other episodes of Minnesota Portraits and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

This story is made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the Friends of Minnesota Experience.

Mark Dayton has held many positions in government: Commissioner, Auditor, U.S. Senator and Governor. But the one he liked best was his last, serving as the chief executive of the state of Minnesota. As a wealthy department store heir, he never had to work, but chose to work after watching Bobby Kennedy’s assassination. He said he could never be comfortable in his comfortable life again and vowed to dedicate his life to public service. Almanac's Mary Lahammer interviewed Dayton about his lifetime spent in public service.

For more on Mark Dayton’s legacy of public service, check out Mary Lahammer’s interview with his sons, Eric and Andrew.