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Former Minnesota Republican Sen. David Durenberger, a progressive-type of lawmaker who criticized his own party after he left office, died at age 88.
“Durenberger’s health had declined in recent months, his longtime spokesperson Tom Horner said. Horner told The Associated Press that Durenberger died Tuesday morning of natural causes. He was at his St. Paul home surrounded by family.”
“Durenberger — a former executive secretary to GOP Gov. Harold LeVander, former corporate attorney, and former captain in the U.S. Army Reserve — won a U.S. Senate seat in 1978. He served three terms and championed health care reform. He pushed proposals to expand Medicare benefits, protect rights for disabled people, including the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, and promote gender equity,” the outlet added.
In the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, he endorsed Democrats Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden over Donald Trump.
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who will give a eulogy at Durenberger’s funeral, said: “His work on health care reform saved lives. He was deeply kind, generous, and honest, and he put his work on behalf of Minnesota above all else. He valued collaboration and bipartisanship in the spirit of improving peoples’ lives.”
Dave Durenberger spoke highly of his father.
“He tried to find the goodness or the common bond that he shared with everybody. Everybody had the potential to be his friend — whether it was the King of Jordan or the Jordanian immigrant driving a cab,” Dave Durenberger said.
Republican Party of Minnesota tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Senator David Durenberger. Minnesotans of all parties and background will always remember his legacy of service to our state and our nation. Our hearts go out to his loved ones, and we pray for their peace and comfort in this time of sorrow.”
Minnesota Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar said in a statement: “Senator Dave Durenberger was a true public servant. He was a dedicated legislator who was always guided by his devotion to bipartisanship and improving people’s lives. His work to advance the Americans with Disabilities Act and prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities changed millions of lives for the better and made our nation stronger. When I joined the Senate, Dave showed me such kindness. He encouraged me to join the weekly prayer breakfast—advice that I took, and I am grateful I did. He also told me that despite the many hurdles, working to improve people’s health care is always worth it. In Senator Durenberger, Minnesotans had a thoughtful leader, a passionate advocate, and a true friend. We are lucky to have benefited from his good work and his good heart for so many years. John’s and my prayers are with Susan and his family, friends, and dedicated former staff during this difficult time.”
St. John’s President Brian Bruess said in a statement: “Today our country lost a patriotic American, Minnesota lost a skilled statesman, and Saint John’s lost a great Johnnie.”
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) Chair Ken Martin tweeted: “Sad to hear about the passing of my friend, former U.S. Senator David Durenberger this morning. While we didn’t agree on everything he was one of the last “progressive” Republicans from Minnesota. He ended up being a great statesman after he left office.”
Former Obama official Andy Slavvitt tweeted: “Dave was a Republican who believed in universal health care & worked for it in the US Senate in the 90s. He supported Obamacare & condemned his old party for trying to take people’s care. He was a friend who leaves a legacy that has yet to be emulated.”
Minnesota Democrat Rep. Betty McCollum tweeted: “Sad to hear this news. U.S. Sen. David Durenberger was a real leader on protecting the BWCA & the Mississippi River, and expanding affordable health care and disability rights. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”
David Doniger, the Senior Strategic Director of Natural Resources Defense Council’s Climate & Clean Energy Program, tweeted: “Mourning Sen. Durenberger’s passing. Among many achievements, he strengthened controls on cancer-causing toxic air pollutants in the 1990 Clean Air Act. He was a 1-in-a-million kind of a guy. Longtime Republican U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger dies at 88.”
