Jim Ramstad
James Marvin Ramstad (May 6, 1946 – November 5, 2020) was an American lawyer and politician who represented Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2009. A member of the Republican Party, Ramstad served in the Minnesota Senate from 1981 to 1991.
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 | James Marvin Ramstad May 6, 1946 Jamestown, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | November 5, 2020 (aged 74) Wayzata, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Kathryn Mitchell (m. 2005) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Minnesota (BA) George Washington University (JD) |
| Occupation | attorney, political assistant |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army Reserve |
| Years of service | 1968–1975 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
Ramstad was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1981 and was reelected until 1990, when he was elected to represent Minnesota’s 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ramstad won reelection in the suburban congressional district eight times, all by landslide margins. He had a reputation as a moderate Republican. Ramstad chose to retire and not seek reelection in 2008. He was succeeded by Republican State Representative Erik Paulsen. Throughout his legislative career and later life, Ramstad, empowered by his prior struggles with alcoholism, was a notable advocate for addiction recovery.
In 2020, Ramstad died from Parkinson's disease at the age of 74.