Jim Ramstad
American politician

Jim Ramstad

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American politician
Gender:
Male
Places:
United States of America
Is:
PoliticianLawyer
Work field:
LawPolitics
Birth:
6 May 1946(Jamestown)
Religions:
United church of christ
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Biography

Introduction

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
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 was a member of The Republican Main Street Partnership. He is pro-choice, supports embryonic 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 was 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. For a time, he was Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy's Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor. 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.