Statement about running for governor: None

Party: Independence

Current government position: None

Elected: Appointed by Gov. Jesse Ventura Nov. 5, 2002 to fill out the term of Sen. Paul Wellstone after Wellstone's death in October of 2002.

Term: Interim – 62 days

Occupation: Attorney

Birth date: August 31, 1950

Home:

Education: B.S., University of Minnesota; JD, University of Minnesota Law School

Website: Congressional bio

Email: dbark2840@aol.com

Political experience: Co-founder, Minnesota Reform Party (later renamed Independence Party of Minnesota); unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992; unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Senate in 1994 and 1996; Chairman, Jesse Ventura's 1998 gubernatorial campaign; Director of Strategic and Long Range Planning for four years in the Ventura administration. U.S. Senator from Nov. 5, 2002, to Jan. 3, 2003, serving the remaining term of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone; Campaign Director and chief strategist for Texas Independent candidate Kinky Friedman (2006)

Background articles:

"Who's in and who's out for governor? Jockeying gets underway for 2010"

"Barkley discusses his short career in the Senate"

"Barkley back in politics? He says he never left"

"Dean Barkley tries to shake up the race for Senate"