| − | Coleman was born and raised in a [[Jewish]] family in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]]. He is married to actress and model Laurie Coleman. Coleman is a graduate of James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York and Hofstra University on Long Island. | + | Coleman was born and raised in a [[Jewish]] family in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York]]. He is married to actress and model Laurie Coleman. Coleman is a graduate of James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York and [[Hofstra University]] on Long Island. |
| − | Coleman's politics have changed dramatically throughout his political career. In college, he was a [[liberal]] [[Democrat]] and protested against the Vietnam War. He ran for student senate and once wrote in his school newspaper "these [[conservative]] kids don't f#ck or get high like we do." In 1993 he was elected mayor of Saint Paul as a member of the Minnesota [[Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party]] (DFL). In 1996, Mayor Coleman made a major change. Saying that he was frustrated that the Democratic party he had been a part of from his youth had assumed the role of defenders of the status quo, he switched to the Republican party because he felt it held the best opportunity to bring about job growth, quality education and greater public safety. In 1997, he was reelected mayor as a Republican, with 59 percent of the vote. In 1998 he ran for Governor of Minnesota and lost to former professional wrestler [[Jesse Ventura]]. In 2002 Coleman was elected to the United States Senate, defeating former Vice President [[Walter Mondale]]. | + | Coleman's politics have changed dramatically throughout his political career. In college, he was a [[liberal]] [[Democrat]] and protested against the [[Vietnam War]]. He ran for student senate and once wrote in his school newspaper "these [[conservative]] kids don't f#ck or get high like we do." In 1993 he was elected mayor of Saint Paul as a member of the Minnesota [[Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party]] (DFL). In 1996, Mayor Coleman made a major change. Saying that he was frustrated that the Democratic party he had been a part of from his youth had assumed the role of defenders of the status quo, he switched to the Republican party because he felt it held the best opportunity to bring about job growth, quality education and greater public safety. In 1997, he was reelected mayor as a Republican, with 59 percent of the vote. In 1998 he ran for Governor of Minnesota and lost to former professional wrestler [[Jesse Ventura]]. In 2002 Coleman was elected to the United States Senate, defeating former Vice President [[Walter Mondale]]. |