Created: 11/16/2009 3:34 PM KSTP.com | Print |  Email

Tom Hauser - Chief Political Reporter

Covering Minnesota politics is the best political beat in the country," says Tom Hauser.  "We once elected an Olympic hockey player as governor and followed that up years later with a professional wrestler. There's rarely a dull moment."

Professional History
Tom started at 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in September 1992, after reporting and news anchoring jobs in Austin, Minnesota; Fort Myers, Florida; and Des Moines, Iowa. After covering the law enforcement beat in the Twin Cities for several years, Tom began covering Minnesota politics in 1997. He hosts the 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS "At Issue" public affairs program on Sunday mornings. In 2002, Tom authored "Inside the Ropes with Jesse Ventura," a book about the remarkable four-year term of Governor Jesse Ventura.

Education
In 1983, Tom received a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. In 1992 he earned a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Awards
Tom has earned a number of awards for news reporting, including Emmy Awards for his coverage of the plane crash of Senator Paul Wellstone and for stories that helped solve the 1970 murder of St. Paul Police Officer Jim Sackett. He's also received Emmys for "At Issue" as the Best Public Affairs Program and as the television host of the Minnesota State High School Hockey tournament.

On a Personal Note
Tom was born in Minneapolis and grew up in Edina. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and four children. Tom enjoys reading, golfing and running. He's finished 20 marathons.

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