Dick Franson, frequent candidate, dies at 86

Richard "Dick" Franson, who ran for Minnesota statewide and local office about 30 different times including secretary of state, U.S. Senate and governor, died Wednesday. He was 86.

Franson most recently ran for secretary of state in 2014 and lost in the DFL primary.

Franson served as a Minneapolis 12th Ward alderman in the mid-1960s. He was among 35 candidates in the Minneapolis mayoral race in 2013.

A U.S. Army First Sergeant (ret.), he served in Korea and Vietnam, where he was exposed to Agent Orange, according to nephew Kevin Brandt.

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Franson suffered a concussion in February and was in rehab at Highland Chateau Health Care Center in St. Paul before he died.

Franson was born in Little Falls, Minn. and grew up in Minneapolis. He graduated from Central High School.

Brandt remembers his uncle as a generous man.

"Whether you liked him or not, everybody will agree: He fought for what he believed in."

Franson's funeral services will be held June 4 followed by burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.