Jim Ramstad

Jim Ramstad
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Bill Frenzel
Succeeded by	Erik Paulsen
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 45th district 43rd (1981–1983)
In office January 6, 1981 – January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Emily Anne Staples
Succeeded by	Judy Traub
Personal details
Born	(1946-05-06) May 6, 1946 Jamestown, North Dakota
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Kathryn Ramstad
Residence	Minnetonka, Minnesota
Alma mater	University of Minnesota, George Washington University
Occupation	attorney, political assistant
Religion	United Church of Christ
Military service
Service/branch	United States National Guard
Years of service	1968–1974

James Marvin "Jim" Ramstad (born May 6, 1946) is a United States politician from the state of Minnesota.

Early life

Ramstad was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, was educated at the University of Minnesota and the George Washington University Law School. He was an officer in the United States Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974. He also worked as a private practice attorney and as a legislative aide to the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Career

Ramstad was Republican member of the Minnesota State Senate from 1981 to 1990 before entering the U.S. Congress. He served in the 102nd, 103rd, 104th, 105th, 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, and 110th congresses, beginning on January 3, 1991. He first defeated former Minneapolis city councilman Lou DeMars in the 1990 election.

Ramstad was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 until 2009, representing Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, one of eight congressional districts in Minnesota. On September 17, 2007 Ramstad announced he would not seek reelection in 2008. He reiterated his statement on December 19, 2007.

Ramstad considered ending discrimination against those suffering from mental health and addiction problems a major part of his legacy, and worked under both Republican and Democratic majorities to pass a Mental Health Parity Bill. Mental Health Parity was eventually passed and signed into law in December, 2008.

Congressman Jim Ramstad on the steps of the U.S. Capitol w/ Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Kennedy, Majority Leader Hoyer and David Wellstone, son of the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone.

Ramstad was mentioned as a possible candidate for Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the administration of President Barack Obama. However, the position eventually went to former Seattle police chief Gil Kerlikowske.

Ramstad considered running for Governor of Minnesota in the 2010 election, but decided not to.

Ramstad is currently a resident fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics where he is leading a study group titled The Policy and Politics of Addiction.

Political stances

Ramstad is a member of The Republican Main Street Partnership. He is pro-choice, supports stem cell research, and supports gay rights but is opposed to gay marriage. He voted in favor of an amendment to a whistleblower protection bill that would have allowed the government to influence stem-cell research.

He is considered to be the most moderate Republican member of the Minnesota delegation in the 109th Congress, scoring 68 percent conservative by a conservative group and 21% progressive by a liberal group. Minnesota Congressional Districts shows the scores for the entire delegation.

Personal life

Ramstad has identified himself as a recovering alcoholic, having been sober since 1981. Ramstad's sister, Sheryl Ramstad, is currently a Tax Court judge in Minnesota.

On February 25, 2008 it was announced that Ramstad had been elected to the board of directors of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University

In 2010, Former Congressman Ramstad joined alliantgroup as a Senior Advisor on their Strategic Advisory Board.

Committee assignments

• Ways and Means Committee
  • Subcommittee on Oversight (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Health
• Co-chair of the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus
• Co-chair of the Disabilities Caucus
• Co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus
• Co-chair of the Medical Technology Caucus

Electoral history

Minnesota's 3rd congressional district: Results 1990–2006

Year		DFL	Votes	Pct		Republican	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
1990		Lou Demars	96,395	33%		Jim Ramstad	195,833	67%		Write-ins		624	<1%
1992		Paul Mandell	104,606	33%		Jim Ramstad	200,240	64%		Dwight Fellman	Grass Roots	9,164	3%		Write-ins		721	<1%
1994		Bob Olson	62,211	26%		Jim Ramstad	173,223	73%		Write-ins		1,097	<1%
1996		Stan J. Leino	87,350	30%		Jim Ramstad	205,816	70%											*
1998		Stan J. Leino	66,505	23%		Jim Ramstad	203,731	72%		Derek W. Schramm	Minnesota Taxpayers	12,823	5%						*
2000		Sue Shuff	98,219	30%		Jim Ramstad	222,571	68%		Bob Odden	Libertarian	5,302	2%		Arne Niska	Constitution	2,970	1%
2002		Darryl Stanton	82,575	28%		Jim Ramstad	213,334	72%											*
2004		Deborah Watts	126,665	35%		Jim Ramstad	231,871	65%											*
2006		Wendy Wilde	99,588	35%		Jim Ramstad	184,333	65%											*

Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1996, write-ins received 417 votes. In 1998, write-ins received 250 votes. In 2002, write-ins received 309 votes. In 2004, write-ins received 356 votes. In 2006, write-ins received 323 votes.

External links

• Jim Ramstad at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Profile at SourceWatch
• MPR – Campaign 2006: Jim Ramstad profile from Minnesota Public Radio

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Bill Frenzel	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2009	Succeeded by Erik Paulsen