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8th District


SNAPSHOT
The 8th District encompasses about 18 Minnesota counties -- mostly rural and farmland. It includes Duluth, Cloquet, Chisolm, Hibbing, Grand Rapids, International Falls, and Brainerd.

The nation's largest deposits of iron here were discovered there in the 1800s -- thus the nickname "Iron Range" that is bestowed upon much of the region.

This has been a DFL district for generations, but there are signs of change according to The Almanac of American Politics. "In 2000, cultural issues like gun control and environmental restrictions moved opinion toward the Republicans." John Kerry won the district, however, on a 53%-to-46% vote in 2004. But he was forced to devote time and resources to the district that traditionally has been a solid blue.

Candidates

Document Rod Grams (R)
Document Jim Oberstar (D)
Harry Welty (Unity)

District Information

District map
Median age: 43
School age:19%
Age 65+: 16%
Percent below poverty: 10.4%
Per capita income: $18,597
Median housing value: $90,003
Percent unemployed: 3%
Percent minority: 5%
Percent college graduate: 11%
Percent less than high school diploma: 10%

The Money Race

CandidateFunds
James Oberstar $1,198,362
Rod Grams $335,143
When Rep. Martin Sabo announced his retirement last month, about a dozen DFL candidates started lining up to replace him. They range from a Dairy Queen owner to a university professor. At a forum on Sunday, they touted their political chops. (04/23/2006)
Three of four candidates for the 6th District seat signed a pledge to honor the party endorsement process. But a fourth refused to sign, although he says he'll abide by it. (04/21/2006)
The common campaign theme among the Republican challengers is that Congress doesn't just need more Republicans, it needs more conservative Republicans. (04/17/2006)
Just ahead of a due date for property tax payments - and just weeks before the fall election - rebate checks averaging $205 would begin arriving in the mailboxes of homeowners if House Republican lawmakers get their way. (04/10/2006)
There's always some politics in every policy debate at the Legislature. Republican Reps. Phil Krinkie and Jim Knoblach are taking that to a higher level at the Capitol, because they're running against each other for the same Congressional seat. Some say they're trying to "out-conservatize" each other. (04/07/2006)
Even though the Legislature doesn't have a budget to balance this year, there are a number of tax-related proposals on the table, including eliminating the so-called marriage penalty, raising the state sales tax and the increasing the income tax. (Midday, 04/06/2006)
As part of the Minnesota Chamber's Business Day at the Capitol on April 6, 2006, Rep. Jeff Johnson and Rep. Matt Entenza debated issues in their race for attorney general. (04/06/2006)
The Iraq war has lost lots of support among Americans. What do the members of the Minnesota delegation think we should do now? (04/05/2006)
Ending more than a year of gridlock, a Senate committee today finally held a hearing on -- and then voted down -- a controversial bill that would put the definition of marriage on November's ballot as an amendment to the state constitution. (04/04/2006)
Democratic state Sen. Sharon Marko withdrew Wednesday from Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District race, making a fall matchup between FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley and Republican Rep. John Kline a near certainty. (03/29/2006)
U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo, DFL-Minn., announced Saturday that he won't seek a 15th term in Congress. (Midday, 03/20/2006)
"In my gut I know the time is right," the Minneapolis DFLer said on Saturday as he announced the end of his political career. (03/18/2006)
University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs says Martin Sabo's decision to retire is "momentous," and the time of the announcement is "strange." (03/17/2006)
Martin Sabo is holding a press conference Saturday to announce he's not seeking re-election. The 5th District Democrat has been a member of Congress representing Minneapolis for 28 years. (03/17/2006)
Jacob Wetterling Foundation officials say they've been considering the name change for several years, but one board member says Patty Wetterling's political campaign is also playing a role in the possible change. (03/10/2006)
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