McLaughlin was the 'guy who kept the candidate going'
James Walsh
Star Tribune

Published Oct. 26, 2002 MCLA26

He was young, full of energy. Always, it seemed, Will McLaughlin was on the go. He had risen to lead the fraternity his older brother once led. From college, he jumped into the Democratic political theater his father helped fuel.

For all these reasons, the 23-year-old McLaughlin had become the constant companion to U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone on the campaign trail. This was his first foray into a statewide campaign, say those who knew McLaughlin. Judging by his humor, zeal and energy, no one ever thought it would be his last.

"Wherever Paul was, there you saw Will," said Wellstone communications director Jim Farrell. "He had that all-important role in a campaign -- he was the guy who kept the candidate going."

He was the son of Mike W. McLaughlin, a man former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer called one of the most colorful and steadfast Democrats in St. Paul history. McLaughlin, who died in 1997, served for years as the DFL's Ramsey County and Fourth Congressional District chairman.

A champion mountain biker and cross-country skier, Will McLaughlin had amazing energy, said his mother, Judy McLaughlin. He once raced with Greg LeMond, the champion bicyclist. "One thing about William is that once he decided to do something, he went all the way," Judy McLaughlin said Friday.

After graduating from St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, McLaughlin enrolled at the University of Minnesota. He joined the same fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, where his older brother Dave was president. He rose to leadership positions within the fraternity, becoming president of the university chapter and one of three students on the national board of directors.

"Will was a leader since before I got there," said Michael Kohn, the chapter's vice president for member development.

Kohn said that when McLaughlin was in charge of recruitment, the fraternity had its largest incoming class.

Judy McLaughlin said that her son, just a few credits shy of graduating, got the "opportunity of a lifetime."

Paul and Sheila Wellstone were longtime friends of the McLauglin family. After McLaughlin finished an internship for Wellstone last spring, the senator asked him to join his staff. McLaughlin was developing a passion for politics and aspirations for public service, Farrell said.

Whatever his future held, those who knew Will McLaughlin were certain this ride with the Wellstone campaign would have been only the start of bigger things.

"He was a bright, articulate, charming, handsome, wonderful son and wonderful brother," Judy McLaughlin said Friday night. "He was ready to take on the world. And it's going to be a sadder place because there isn't a William McLaughlin here to help run it."

Survivors include two other brothers and four sisters.