Durenberger, former US senator from Minnesota, dies at 88

By STEPHEN GROVES and STEVE KARNOWSKI
Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former U.S. Senator David Durenberger has died at age 88. Durenberger was a Minnesota Republican who espoused a progressive brand of politics. His longtime spokesperson says his health has declined in recent months and he died Tuesday morning at his St. Paul home. Durenberger won a U.S. Senate seat in 1978 and served three terms. He was a champion of health care reform. He became a critic of the Republican Party as it tilted toward slashing government programs. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz will give a eulogy at Durenberger’s funeral next Tuesday at the former senator’s alma mater, St. John’s University in Collegeville.