I was a young reporter in the summer of 1992 and Paul Wellstone was a freshman senator when our paths crossed. The senator was one of the first Washington politicians I came across in my journalism career and he was nothing like I expected.

Instead of some slick politician, Senator Wellstone was an ordinary Joe. He talked like the average citizen, dressed like the average citizen and worked like the average citizen. Really there was nothing average about the man. He was intelligent, articulate and held strong convictions.

You see, I was two months into my first daily newspaper job, working for the Marshall Independent covering Lincoln and Yellow Medicine counties when disaster struck. It was the summer when tornadoes ripped through Chandler, Lake Wilson, Clarkfield and Hazel Run, threatening to wipe all four of the Minnesota communities off the face of the Earth.

With these southwestern communities in disbelief and needing help, Senator Wellstone arrived to comfort, to cheerlead and to help. The senator spent countless hours shaking hands and reassuring those driven from homes and business. He helped serve food, helped move debris and made sure that help from Washington would arrive.

For nearly two months the senator would make routine trips to Clarkfield and the other communities. During his visits the two of us sat and chatted about the progress he was making in securing aid and how amazing the people of the communities were. He truly cared.

Just recently I was reminded again of how genuine he really was when my grandmother was in an election ad of his. My grandmother remarked how he was a down-to-earth man.

His passing in an airplane crash Friday in northern Minnesota with his wife and daughter is truly a tragedy -- regardless of political leaning.

Herald Endorsements

The Austin Daily Herald will make its election endorsements in the Friday, Nov. 1 edition.

Many times we're asked why we make endorsements. We do so because we owe it to our readers. The newspaper has a huge responsibility in educating our readers. The education of readers happens on a daily basis, but is magnified during election cycles because of the sheer volume of material being thrown at voters.

It is the newspapers' responsibility to its readers to present the issues and subsequently the views of each candidate on those issues. Unfortunately the average citizen doesn't have the time to thoroughly research the views of all candidates, in all races. This is where the newspaper steps in, does the work for readers and provides digestible summaries for readers to consider.

What you will read in the Nov. 1 edition is the culmination of more than 100 hours of work by Herald staff interviewing candidates, gathering opinions from local citizens and reflecting on what candidates will best serve the majority of Austin residents.

We expect you'll find the endorsements thoughtful and insightful, favorable or unfavorable and most importantly a useful tool when ultimately deciding who to cast your vote for.

Neal Ronquist can be reached at 434-2201 or by e-mail at :mailto:neal.ronquist@austindailyherald.com