MN Governor Candidate Struggled Depression

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton says he has struggled with mild depression for years and relapsed in his recovery from alcoholism while serving in the U.S. Senate.

The Star Tribune first reported the information in a column Sunday. The column says Dayton started drinking late in his lone Senate term and checked himself into a treatment center for a week. It also quotes Dayton as saying his depression has not influenced his decisions as an elected official.

Dayton e-mailed supporters to point out the column.

He says people have a right to know about the "deeply personal matters" as he campaigns for governor.

Dayton is one of 11 Democrats in a race that also features seven Republican candidates.

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