Buck Humphrey
Hubert "Buck" Humphrey IV | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 24, 1969 Ramsey County, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Parent(s) | Skip Humphrey Nancy Jeffery |
| Relatives | Hubert Humphrey (grandfather) |
| Education | American University (BA); Hamline University (MPA) |
| Occupation | Political aide; communications and government affairs executive |
Hubert Horatio "Buck" Humphrey IV (born November 24, 1969) is an American political aide and communications executive from Minnesota. A member of the Humphrey political family, he was the Democratic–Farmer–Labor nominee for Minnesota Secretary of State in 2002. He later served in senior communications roles in the federal government and subsequently worked in government affairs and public affairs consulting.[1][2]
Early life and education
Humphrey was born in Ramsey County, Minnesota, and raised in the Twin Cities region. He is the son of former Minnesota attorney general Hubert H. "Skip" Humphrey III and the grandson of U.S. Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree from American University and a Master of Public Administration from Hamline University, as recorded in candidate records and professional biographies.[3]
Early political career
Humphrey began his career in municipal government as a policy aide in Minneapolis and subsequently moved into statewide campaign operations and DFL organizing in the late 1990s and early 2000s, working on outreach and field operations across Minnesota.[1]
Role in 2000 and 2008 presidential campaigns
Humphrey served in senior state campaign roles for national Democratic presidential campaigns. He was part of the Minnesota operation for the 2000 Gore campaign and later held a senior state leadership role for Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign in Minnesota, coordinating state staff and local outreach efforts; these roles are documented in contemporary campaign materials and later professional profiles.[3]
2002 Secretary of State campaign
Humphrey announced his candidacy for Minnesota Secretary of State in December 2001 and won the DFL nomination to challenge incumbent Mary Kiffmeyer in the November 2002 general election.[2]
Election results
| Year | Office | Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Secretary of State (Minnesota) | Mary Kiffmeyer | Republican | 1,040,740 | 47.55% |
| 2002 | Secretary of State (Minnesota) | Buck Humphrey | Democratic | 974,345 | 44.52% |
| 2002 | Secretary of State (Minnesota) | Dean Alger | Independence | 104,799 | 4.79% |
| 2002 | Secretary of State (Minnesota) | Andrew S. Koebrick | Green | 67,404 | 3.08% |
| Source: Minnesota Historical Election Archive (official compiled returns).[2] | |||||
Contemporary Minnesota press covered Humphrey's platform, debates with the incumbent, fundraising and campaign controversies; official records and newspaper reporting document those items.[1]
Legal issues
Humphrey's prior driving-under-the-influence arrests were reported during and after the 2002 campaign and were raised in media coverage of the race. In October 2017 the St. Cloud Times reported that Humphrey faced a fourth DWI charge and summarized earlier proceedings; the article noted that Humphrey had previously pleaded guilty to a drunken driving offense and described the sentence imposed in that earlier case, which included probation, an ignition interlock requirement and work-crew time as reported by independent news outlets.[4]
A later Star Tribune article reported on Humphrey's guilty plea to drunken driving and the sentence imposed; the reporting summarized the court disposition and the sentence terms without extraneous detail.[5]
Federal government service
Following his state political work, Humphrey served in senior communications and public affairs roles in the federal government. Professional biographies and agency leadership listings identify communications and spokesperson responsibilities during his federal tenure, including work with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services communications office within the Department of Homeland Security.[6][3]
Later career and modern activity
After federal service Humphrey moved into government affairs and public-affairs consulting. Firm biographies and professional listings document his roles leading regional practice groups and advising clients on legislative, procurement and public-affairs matters in Minnesota and Washington, D.C.; he has been associated with Forbes-Tate and Hill Capitol Strategies in Minnesota.[7][3]
References
- ^ a b c d "Candidate Profile: Hubert (Buck) Humphrey IV". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ a b c "Hubert (Buck) Humphrey IV - 2002 Secretary of State results". Minnesota Historical Election Archive. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ a b c d "Hubert "Buck" Humphrey - biography" (PDF). Forbes-Tate. Forbes-Tate. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ Stassen, Kari (2017-10-16). "4th DWI results in charges for politician-lobbyist 'Buck' Humphrey". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ Walsh, Paul (2018-01-08). "Politician-lobbyist 'Buck' Humphrey pleads guilty to drunken driving". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ "USCIS staffing updates and bios (sample)". American Immigration Lawyers Association. AILA. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ "Buck Humphrey - Hill Capitol Strategies". Hill Capitol Strategies. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
External links
- Minnesota Historical Election Archive: Hubert (Buck) Humphrey IV - official compiled returns.
- Minnesota Legislative Reference Library: Candidate Profile - Hubert (Buck) Humphrey IV - candidate profile and biographical details.
- St. Cloud Times: 4th DWI results in charges for politician-lobbyist 'Buck' Humphrey - reporting on DWI charge and prior plea.
- Star Tribune: Politician-lobbyist 'Buck' Humphrey pleads guilty to drunken driving - reporting on guilty plea and sentence.
- Forbes-Tate: biography of Hubert "Buck" Humphrey - professional biography and summary of federal and consulting roles.
- Hill Capitol Strategies: Buck Humphrey - firm profile and biography.
- Minnesota Secretary of State: 2002 election results and precinct spreadsheet - official state results and precinct data.