Jesse Ventura
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1. Jesse Ventura is a media personality, actor, author, former politician and retired professional wrestler, who served as the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003. He was the first and only member of the Reform Party to win a major government position, but later joined the Independence Party of Minnesota, and then joined the Green Party of the United States. Ventura was a member of the U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team during the Vietnam War. After leaving the military, he embarked on a professional wrestling career from 1975 to 1986, taking the ring name Jesse "The Body" Ventura. He had a long tenure in the WWF as a performer and color commentator, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2004. In addition to wrestling, Ventura pursued an acting career, appearing in films such as Predator and The Running Man. As governor, Ventura oversaw reforms of Minnesota's property tax as well as the state's first sales tax rebate. Other initiatives taken under Ventura included construction of the METRO Blue Line light rail in the MinneapolisSaint Paul metropolitan area, and cuts in income taxes. Ventura left office in 2003, deciding not to run for re-election. After leaving office, Ventura became a visiting fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2004. He has since also hosted a number of television shows and has written several political books. Ventura remains politically active and currently hosts a show on Ora TV and on RT America called Off the Grid. As of September 2017, Ventura is hosting a variety news show on RT called The World According to Jesse. Ventura has repeatedly floated running for President of the United States on a Green Party ticket.
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FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2015, file photo, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura talks to reporters outside the federal building in St. Paul, Minn. Ventura says he never said the motto, "Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat," that's featured on a new biographical plaque that went up this month next to his portrait at the state Capitol. (Elizabeth Flores /Star Tribune via AP, File)
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In this Jan. 7, 2000, file photo, potential Reform Party presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, greets Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura in Minneapolis. Ventura said Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015 that he hopes Trump wins the Republican nomination for president and would be open to running as his vice president. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
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FILE - In this May 15, 2008 file photo, former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura signs his new book, "Don't Start the Revolution Without Me," during an appearance at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. Ventura contends he isn't going after the widow of slain "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle by continuing his defamation lawsuit. Ventura told The Associated Press late Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, his fight is with the publisher's insurance company. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)
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FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2002 file photo, then Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura speaks during a news conference in St. Paul, Minn. Ventura contends he isn't going after the widow of slain "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle by continuing his defamation lawsuit. Ventura told The Associated Press late Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, his fight is with the publisher's insurance company. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid,File)
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Former Minnesota governor, pro wrestler and author Jesse Ventura is done with political parties. "They're nothing but gangs," he says. (TRU TV)
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** FILE ** Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, wearing a shirt featuring an image of guitarist Jimi Hendrix, speaks at Macalester College on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, in St. Paul, Minn., before an address by former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. (Associated Press)
