Overview
Hubert Horatio "Skip" Humphrey III (born June 26, 1942) is an American lawyer and Democratic politician best known for a long career in Minnesota public life. He served as a state legislator before becoming the state's Attorney General, and later ran for higher office in two prominent campaigns. His public persona is often associated with consumer protection, health and regulatory issues, and a political lineage tied to his parents' national roles.
Early life and family
Humphrey was born in Minneapolis into a family active in national politics. He is the son of Vice President Hubert Humphrey and U.S. Senator Muriel Humphrey Brown. His upbringing in a public household gave him early exposure to political debate and policy work; later descriptions of his career often note the influence of his parents, including the broader Humphrey political legacy represented by his father's vice presidency and public service (Vice President Hubert Humphrey) and his mother's Senate service (Muriel Humphrey).
Political career and offices
Humphrey began his elective career in the Minnesota legislature, serving as a state senator. He moved from the legislature to statewide office when he was elected Attorney General of Minnesota, a post he held for multiple terms. As attorney general he was known for pursuing consumer protection actions, environmental and health-related enforcement, and legal work on behalf of the state.
- State Senate: legislative service and committee work in the 1970s and early 1980s.
- Attorney General: statewide law officer and chief legal advocate for Minnesota from the 1980s through the 1990s (Attorney General of Minnesota).
Major campaigns
Humphrey ran for the U.S. Senate in 1988 as the Democratic nominee but was defeated by incumbent Republican David Durenberger. A decade later he sought the governorship of Minnesota in 1998, a contest notable for its three-way dynamic. Humphrey won the Democratic primary over opponents including Ted Mondale, son of Vice President Walter Mondale, but lost the general election in a surprising result to Reform Party candidate Jesse Ventura. The 1998 race is often cited in studies of third-party impacts on American gubernatorial politics (1998 election).
Policy focus and public reputation
Throughout his public career Humphrey emphasized consumer rights, health and safety regulation, and legal accountability for corporations and public entities. His work as attorney general included litigation and public advocacy on such matters, and he remained a recognizable figure in Minnesota politics because of both his own record and his family's name.
Legacy and distinctions
Skip Humphrey's career is often discussed in the context of political family dynasties and the ways statewide office can serve as a springboard for higher office. While his bids for the U.S. Senate and governor were unsuccessful, his long tenure as attorney general and earlier legislative service mark him as a significant state-level leader. For more on the offices and elections associated with his career, see resources on the Governor of Minnesota, the duties of the attorney general, and historical accounts of the 1998 election and other contests in which he participated.