Jesse Ventura took office as governor of Minnesota last month, and Iowa State students, particularly those from Minnesota, have varying opinions on Ventura’s election and job performance.

Ventura previously was mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minn., but he probably has received the most attention for his time as a professional wrestler. His brute image has created differing opinions about his political abilities and the future of Minnesota.

“I think people just voted for him at first because they thought it would be funny to elect a wrestler, but no one expected him to really take office,” said Becky Auel, sophomore in construction engineering from Alexandria, Minn.

Some expressed concern for Ventura’s lack of experience in politics.

“I did not vote for Ventura because he has no political experience,” said Matthew Bibee, graduate student in electrical engineering from Anoka, Minn. “He went up against a politician who took on the tobacco industry and has a hell of a lot more political knowledge than an ex-wrestler.”

Others think people need to get past his former profession and realize he can address important issues in the state.

“Simply because he used to be a wrestler doesn’t mean he can’t keep the people satisfied with their government,” said Andrea Wallace, freshman in business from Bloomington, Minn. “I hear ISU professors make fun of him because they think he only ran for office because of his popularity, but I think Ventura is in office because he really wanted to change things.”

Angie Mulvehill, sophomore in Spanish and journalism and mass communication from Edina, Minn., is glad Ventura was elected.

“He’ll do a really great job because he doesn’t talk all of that political mumbo-jumbo and is so honest that it scares some people who are more conservative,” she said.

Andrew Walling, freshman in computer engineering from Plymouth, Minn., said Ventura was quite qualified to be governor.

“I have faith in him because he was a mayor for 10 years and used to be a Navy Seal,” he said.

Many students said they are not bothered by the whimsical reputation Minnesota has acquired since the elections last November.

“I know Minnesota was the laughing stock at first, but he’s doing a great job now,” said Cory Hample, freshman in business from Edina, Minn. “He should also be respected for being wise enough to use his past to target the younger population and get a great number of them to go out and vote.”

Some felt young Minnesotans may appreciate Ventura’s new spin on things more than older residents.

“I voted for Ventura, but my parents didn’t because they were worried about having a non-politician as governor,” Walling said. “I think the previous government was screwed up and very bipartisan, so Jesse provided a fresh outlook where changes were needed.”

Some are enjoying the fame Ventura has brought to Minnesota.

“I still have to laugh at the shirts which read ‘My governor can beat up your governor,'” said John Mleczewski, sophomore in mechanical engineering from Kasson, Minn.

Danelle Baker-Miller, graduate student in English from Duluth, Minn., is optimistic about the state’s future and is supportive of Ventura’s election.

“It is time for a change in Minnesota, and I’m happy to see the traditional government get shaken up a bit by Ventura,” she said.