The 2010 election changed the landscape of Minnesota politics. For the first time, Republicans have control of both the Minnesota House and Senate.
And in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District, 18-term Rep. Jim Oberstar — who, along with Rep. John Blatnik, had kept the Arrowhead under Democratic representation since 1947 — was ousted by upstart Republican Chip Cravaack.
If anything can be concluded from the Nov. 2 election, it's that -- like many areas of the country -- the 8th District has become less predictable.
Republican Chip Cravaack seemed to come out of nowhere to defeat Oberstar. /p>
Some voters complain that Oberstar—who was born and raised in Chisholm—didn't spend enough time in the district in recent years and couldn't relate to the people back home.
The defeat of Jim Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, means a lot less clout for Minnesota transportation projects on Capitol Hill.
Here are some highlights of Oberstar's 36-year career in Congress.
Republicans gained several Minnesota House and Senate seats in the 8th District, traditionally a DFL stronghold.
House DFLers who lost: Loren Solberg - Grand Rapids; Tim Faust - Hinckley; Al Doty- Royalton; Gail Kulick Jackson - Milaca.
Senate DFLers who lost: Mary Olson - Bemidji; Lisa Fobbe - Zimmerman; Rick Olseen - Harris.