MINNEAPOLIS, Oct 25: Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone, one of the standard-bearers of the left in American politics, was killed on Friday along with seven others when his plane crashed in rugged northern Minnesota.

The accident occurred two weeks before the congressional elections.

Wellstone’s wife, Sheila, and a daughter, Marcia, were among those killed.

Wellstone, 58, was in the midst of a re-election battle with Republican Norm Coleman, the former mayor of St. Paul. A former college professor and passionate liberal, he fought for expanded social programs and most recently opposed President George W. Bush’s call for Senate support for an attack on Iraq.

Wellstone’s death could have an impact on the Nov 5 congressional elections because Democrats control the Senate by only one vote. Wellstone had a slight lead in recent polls in his bid for a third term and had recently disclosed that he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

His death was eerily similar to the circumstances surrounding the Oct 2000 plane crash that took the life of another Democratic Senate hopeful, Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan.

His plane crashed in rain and fog in southeastern Missouri shortly before that year’s election.

Carnahan’s name remained on the ballot and he was elected after his death. His widow later was appointed to the seat.

The plane carrying Wellstone crashed during a flight from St. Paul to Eveleth, about 215kms to the north.

Eveleth-Virginia Municipal Airport assistant manager Gary Ulmond said there was light snow at the time of the crash at about 10.30 local time.—Reuters