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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.
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
Rod Grams (R) | |
Jim Oberstar (D) | |
Harry Welty (Unity) |
District Information
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%
Debates
Grams-Oberstar debate in Grand Rapids (10/17/06) | |
Grams appeared at a congressional candidates' forum at Farmfest, along with candidates from other districts.
(8/1/06) | |
The Money Race
Candidate | Funds |
James Oberstar | $1,198,362 |
Rod Grams | $335,143 |
Links and Resources
Campaign 2004: 8th District |
Campaign 2004: 8th District election results |
State Sen. Michele Bachmann has
suspended her congressional campaign while she enters a hospital
for medical treatment.
(02/27/2006)
Patty Wetterling's announcement has upset the other Democrat in the race and has Republicans hopeful that the seat will stay in their hands.
(02/03/2006)
State Sen. Sharon Marko said Wednesday she is
jumping into the DFL race for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional
District, pitting her against former FBI agent Coleen Rowley.
(02/01/2006)
Children's safety advocate Patty Wetterling said
Friday she is ending her Democratic campaign for U.S. Senate, and
threw her support to Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar.
(01/20/2006)
Supporters of a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota are going to have a tougher time getting the measure on the ballot next November. They've lost two critical votes in the Minnesota Senate in recent special elections.
(12/28/2005)
The Pentagon is tentatively considering reducing the number of troops in Iraq by as many as three brigades over the next year, according to news reports. There are currently 18 brigades on the ground. Is U.S. military strategy in Iraq proving effective?
( 11/25/2005)
If a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage makes it on the ballot next year, it could give a big boost to Republican candidates for governor and U.S. Senate.
(11/21/2005)
Two days after Attorney General Mike Hatch entered the governor's race, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House has announced he's running for Hatch's job.
(10/26/2005)
Patty Wetterling ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Minnesota 6th District House seat last year against Republican Mark Kennedy, who will one of her competitors again in in the U.S. Senate race.
But Wetterling says this time, she's running a smarter campaign.
(10/09/2005)
As hundreds of Minnesota National Guard troops left this weekend for eventual deployment to Iraq, U.S. Rep. John Kline saw his son go overseas as well. Kline, R-Minn., said his son, Army Major J. Daniel Kline, is on his way to Iraq as part of the 101st Airborne Division. Kline spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.
(09/19/2005)
FBI 9/11 whistle blower Coleen Rowley formally launched her campaign for congress today.
Rowley is challenging Republican John Kline in the 2nd District. She's running as a Democrat even though she says until recently she voted pretty much straight-line Republican, including a vote for the congressman she's now trying to unseat.
(07/06/2005)
Former Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg is the first DFLer to formally announce his candidacy for the open congressional seat in Minnesota's 6th District. Tinklenberg made the announcement Tuesday in Blaine, where he once served as mayor.
(06/14/2005)
Senate candidates Mark Kennedy, Amy Klobuchar
and Patty Wetterling each list assets of less than $1 million in
financial disclosure forms while a fourth candidate said his assets
and liabilities both exceed $50 million, according to an Associated
Press review.
(05/27/2005)
Coleen Rowley is considering a race for
Congress in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, the former FBI
whistle-blower told The Associated Press Monday.
(05/23/2005)
The Republicans vying for a spot on Minnesota's
6th Congressional District ballot hauled in comparable amounts of
campaign cash and, in some cases, looked to the same donors,
according to reports that were due Friday.
(04/15/2005)
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