Oberstar endorses Nolan in 8th District

Long-time DFL U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar endorsed Rick Nolan Monday in his bid to unseat GOP freshman incumbent Chip Cravaack.

Cravaack beat Oberstar two years ago by fewer than five thousand votes. In accepting the endorsement Monday at the Minnesota Mining Museum in Chisholm, Nolan said Oberstar's endorsement matters even though he lost the last election.

"He lost it because Democrats got complacent and 94,000 of them didn't show up for the election," Nolan said. "Having traveled throughout this district, a number of things become clear. One is the enormity of respect that people in this district have for Jim Oberstar."

Oberstar said he's endorsing Nolan because of his experience — Nolan served in Congress from 1975 to 1981 — and because of his strong ties to the 8th District.

"The Iron Range can lead this state and the nation as we've so often done in restoring social justice, investing in a jobs agenda [and] by electing Rick Nolan to the U.S. House of Representatives," Oberstar said.

Nolan won the DFL endorsement last month. But he has two challengers in September's Democratic primary: former state Sen. Tarryl Clark, and former Duluth City Councilor Jeff Anderson.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.