Longtime Minnesota political reporter Gene Lahammer has passed away at the age of 90, after spending 34 years with The Associated Press. Lahammer died on Monday morning at his home in Minnetonka, according to his daughter Mary Lahammer. Lahammer was born and raised on a farm in Veblen, South Dakota, during the Great Depression.
Lahammer’s interest in journalism began in high school, where he served as the editor of the school paper. He was a remarkable student, graduating from high school at the age of 16 and college at the age of 18. Recognizing that his intellectual abilities could help him escape poverty, Lahammer pursued a career in journalism. His daughter described him as a “numerical genius” who devoured books, including encyclopedias and dictionaries, for fun. He even had a deep understanding of Latin and possessed an extensive vocabulary.
After college, Lahammer taught a diverse group of students in a one-room schoolhouse in rural South Dakota. He later enlisted in the Army and became an intelligence officer. Although he initially intended to pursue a career in law, Lahammer’s passion for journalism and writing ultimately won out.
Lahammer’s expertise lay in calling races on election night, a skill he honed over 50 years. He was known for making accurate predictions without the aid of a calculator, relying solely on his vast knowledge of precincts, counties, and regions in Minnesota. Even in retirement, he continued to call races and never got one wrong.
Throughout his career, Lahammer developed strong relationships with several Minnesota Supreme Court justices and earned respect from both sides of the political aisle. In fact, Republican Governor Arne Carlson threw him a retirement party at the governor’s mansion. Lahammer also worked for 16 years with the Star Tribune.
In his last year, Lahammer achieved several personal goals, including reaching the age of 90, witnessing his youngest grandchild’s high school graduation, and walking his eldest daughter down the aisle. A funeral is scheduled for Friday in Edina.
Gene Lahammer’s contributions to political reporting and his dedication to the craft will be remembered by his colleagues and the Minnesota community. His legacy as a journalist and his love for lawmaking have been passed down to his daughter Mary Lahammer, who followed in her father’s footsteps as a Twin Cities PBS anchor and political reporter.
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