Ventura, Jesse

▪ 2000

      Ready to rumble through 1999 was Jesse (“The Body”) Ventura, the former professional wrestler who pulled off a stunning political upset in the November 1998 elections to become governor of Minnesota. In his years as a pro wrestler, the 1.93-m (6-ft 4-in), 117-kg (260-lb) Ventura was known for delivering flying elbow drops and booming tirades. Continuing in his signature off-the-top-rope style as governor, he verbally slammed establishment politicians, spewed politically incorrect remarks, and growled at reporters. Critics decried everything about him, from his lack of a power base in the state legislature and his allegedly unfocused agenda to his poor grammar and admitted past use of marijuana. Some even faulted him for his tongue-in-cheek wrestling creed: “Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat.” For all of his shortcomings, or maybe because of them, Ventura nevertheless succeeded in convincing many that he was that rarest of rarities—an honest politician.

      Jesse George Janos was born on July 15, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minn. He joined the U.S. Navy after high school, becoming a SEAL (sea, air, land) commando and serving in the Vietnam War before returning to Minnesota in 1973. He attended North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park. Following a stint as a bouncer at a local nightclub, he changed his last name to Ventura and embarked on an 11-year career as a bad-boy pro wrestler, strutting in feather boas and leopard-skinned leotards. Upon leaving wrestling, he took up acting and starred in several films, including the 1987 thriller Predator, in which he portrayed a gun-wielding mauler who deadpans, “I ain't got time to bleed”—a line he reclaimed for the title of his 1999 autobiography. His first foray into politics was in 1991–95 as mayor of Brooklyn Park. In the late 1990s he flexed his mouth as a radio shock-jock.

      Not seriously believing he could win the contest for governor, he took up the Reform Party ticket and squared off against two well-funded insiders. Support for Ventura's campaign quickly grew, in part owing to his offbeat television ads (in one a Jesse Ventura action figure battled another figure named Evil Special Interest Man). “The Body” redubbed himself “The Mind” and reached out via the Internet to young voters and those disaffected by the two-party system. His surprise victory made him the first Reform Party candidate in the country to win statewide office.

      As governor, he made good on a pledge to support tax rebates and, rather than doling out government posts as rewards, staffed his Cabinet with qualified persons across the political spectrum. Buoyed by strong ratings, he even toyed with the idea of running for president in 2000, given that the nation had once accorded the honour to a former B-movie actor.

Stephen P. Davis

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▪ American professional wrestler, actor, and politician

original name  James George Janos 

born July 15, 1951, Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.

      American professional wrestler, actor, and politician, who served as governor of Minnesota (1999–2003).

      Ventura joined the U.S. Navy after high school, becoming a SEAL (sea, air, land) commando and serving in the Vietnam War before returning to Minnesota in 1973. He attended North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park. Following a stint as a bouncer at a local nightclub, he changed his last name to Ventura and embarked on an 11-year career as a bad-boy pro wrestler, strutting in feather boas and leopard-skinned leotards; he adopted the stage name Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Upon leaving wrestling, he took up acting and starred in several films, including the 1987 thriller Predator, in which he portrayed a gun-wielding mauler who deadpans, “I ain't got time to bleed”—a line he reclaimed for the title of his 1999 autobiography. His first foray into politics was as mayor of Brooklyn Park (1991–95). In the late 1990s he worked as a radio shock jock.

      In 1998 Ventura ran for governor of Minnesota as the Reform Party candidate. Support for his campaign quickly grew, in part owing to his offbeat television ads (in one a Jesse Ventura action figure battled another figure named Evil Special Interest Man) and his perceived honesty. Ventura redubbed himself “The Mind” and reached out via the Internet to young voters and those disaffected by the two-party system. His surprise victory made him the first Reform Party candidate in the country to win statewide office. As governor, he made good on a pledge to support tax rebates and, rather than doling out government posts as rewards, staffed his cabinet with qualified persons across the political spectrum. Buoyed by strong ratings, he even toyed with the idea of running for president in 2000. Citing political infighting and poor leadership, Ventura left the Reform Party in 2000 and subsequently joined the Independence Party. He decided not seek a second term as governor. After leaving office, Ventura worked as a political commentator, and he flirted with a run for the U.S. Senate in 2008. He wrote several books, including Don't Start the Revolution Without Me! (2008; cowritten with Dick Russell).

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