Paul Wellstone’s Green Bus Is a Symbol of Grassroots Activism
This project is supported by donations from the community to continue this mission of kindness, compassion and unity.
Join Us
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals to get the bus restored for community building events.
About Wellstone Green Bus
Why the Green Bus Matters
- The Green Bus is more than a relic. It’s a reminder of the power of people-driven change. In 1990, Paul Wellstone was outspent by his opponent, yet through the Green Bus, he connected directly with voters, building a movement that culminated in an upset victory. The bus came to symbolize Wellstone’s authenticity, his believe in face-to-face engagement, and his commitment to the working class and those left behind by the political establishment.
- In restoring the bus we are not just preserving history, we are invigorating a powerful symbol of unity, community engagement and hope. Now the Green Bus will serve as a platform for conversations about kindness in public discourse on issues impacting all communities like mental health and addiction recovery.
Our Mission
- With a new mission focused on spreading kindness, supporting communities struggling with mental health and addiction, and finding issues that bring us together, the bus is hitting the road once more. Led by Paul’s son, Dave Wellstone, the Green Bus will travel to communities in Minnesota, honoring Paul Wellstone’s legacy of compassion and grassroots engagement.
Help Us Revive the Wellstone Green Bus: Icon of Grassroots Change
- Paul Wellstone’s Green Bus became a symbol of grassroots activism during his underdog campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1990. This humble, old school bus crisscrossed Minnesota, connecting Wellstone directly with people in the inner city, towns, farms and union halls, embodying his populist message championing the underdog. Now, after years of rusting in a field, the Green Bus is being restored – not just a symbol of that historical political era, but as a renewed beacon of hope, unity, and action.
How can I support the Green Bus Revival?
Share this campaign on social media using #GreenBusRevival and let your friends and networks know about this important project.
- Donate
- Volunteer your skills (email us)
- Or become a partner or sponsor of the Green Bus (email us)
- Follow our restoration journey
- As of July 4th, 2025, the bus has been to one parade. It's not roadworthy for any distances so it must be trailered to sites. See our Event Page for information and criteria on requesting the bus.
Can the Bus Come to Your Event?
If you would like the bus to come to a community event, please review our criteria.
- Base Pricing for Bus to attend an event: $2,500 for the trailer, plus mileage which will be calculated depending on time and distance. The bus is currently housed at Benjamin Bus outside of Northfield, Minnesota.
- We currently are not booking for individuals running for office but will consider organizations and community-based events.
- This effort does not have staff for events, so we are in the process of organizing volunteers.
- Please contact us by email with dates, organization, contact person and description of your event. We will get back to you as soon as we are able.