While Mike Ciresi is perhaps best known for his involvement in a number of monumental lawsuits, including one held against the American tobacco industry by Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the state of Minnesota, his latest claim-to-fame is his 2008 campaign for Minnesota Senate.

Ciresi announced his plans to run for Senator in early 2007, affiliating himself with the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL). Ciresi last ran for senate in 2000, but lost in the Minnesota DFL primary.

Ciresi believes the DFL to be the party that best represents the hard-working, middle class families of Minnesota. "In our society ... there are two competing principles: the common good and self-interest. And this nation has done best – best – when it's tilted toward the common good," said Ciresi.

Ciresi often reflects upon his own humble upbringings. As the son of a first-generation immigrant (his father sold produce from a horse-drawn carriage), the Minnesota-born Ciresi experienced financial hardships throughout his childhood.

Ciresi was awarded a partial scholarship at (what is now) the University of St. Thomas for his accomplishments as a football player in high school. He received a B.S. Degree from the University of St. Thomas in 1968 and went on to receive a J.D. Degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1971.

From there, Ciresi joined the Robins Law Firm. According to his campaign Web site, Ciresi "was drawn to the firm because of Solly Robins’ philosophy that the firm would be of service to working people as well as represent every segment of society: large businesses, unions, individuals and governments in need of expertise."

As an attorney, Ciresi first gained recognition for bringing justice to women injured and killed by defective birth control devices. He also served as counsel to the government of India in a case against one of the America's oldest chemical companies, Union Carbide, regarding an industrial disaster that left thousands of Indian citizens dead. Perhaps Ciresi's most important case, however, was the case against the American tobacco industry in which Ciresi helped to find cigarette manufacturing companies accountable for the health problems of their customers.

On the issues, Ciresi emphasizes a universal healthcare program that would provide for the millions of Americans who cannot afford to treat their illnesses. It's an issue that Ciresi takes personally because his mother died from breast cancer when he was twelve years old. "I learned that hardship can strike any family at any time and I know how important it is to have access to good and affordable healthcare," he has said. "Our family was not wealthy ... if we hadn’t had health insurance, the cost of her care could have ruined us financially."

Ciresi currently lives with his wife, Ann, in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Mike and Ann have three children and nine grandchildren.