Rep. Jim Oberstar

About Jim Oberstar

Born Sept. 10, 1934
U.S. Representative since 1975 (18 terms)
Degrees in French and political science from University of St. Thomas
Master's degree from College of Europe in Belgium
Chief staff assistant to Rep. John Blatnik for 12 years

After 18 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Minnesota's longest serving Congressman Jim Oberstar was narrowly defeated by Republican Chip Cravaack.

MPR News Coverage

Great Lakes freighter renamed to honor Oberstar The carrier is owned by Interlake Steamship Co. Company officials say Oberstar deserves to be recognized because he made the Great Lakes a priority during his entire congressional career.

Cravaack, Wis. counterpart emphasize spending cuts Incoming Republican U.S. Reps. Chip Cravaack and Sean Duffy met in Duluth Tuesday for a briefing on Great Lakes, port and shipping issues. Afterward, they provided few specifics about their positions on those or other issues -- beyond the need to rein in federal spending.

Humphrey Institute talking to Oberstar about role Outgoing U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar is talking to the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute about a possible role.

Politics in the 8th: A red blip or something more? If anything can be concluded from last week's election, it's that -- like many areas of the country -- the 8th District has become less predictable.