Ramstad not seeking re-election

News Analysis by Alex Hall

After 17 years of dutifully serving his constituents, Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad has announced that he will not be seeking re-election in 2008.

Ramstad is currently serving his ninth term representing the wealthiest of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts, the third, which includes several western suburbs of the twin cities such as Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Wayzata, Edina, and Brooklyn Park. In the announcement, Ramstad cited fatigue related to the rigorous schedule of his job, as well as the increasing partisanship within Congress that he feels is weakening our government as the primary reasons for his leaving office. During his tenure in congress, it has been perceived that the seat was a lock for Ramstad for as long as he had wished. On Sept. 17, the popular legislator’s announcement instantly turned Minnesota’s third congressional district into one of the most intriguing races of the 2008 election.

Before his initial election to congress in 1990, Jim Ramstad also served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974 and a Minnesota state senator from 1981 to 1990. He has been among the most popular lawmakers in recent Minnesota history for his moderate and centrist reputation, one that left him somewhat isolated within his own party.

While he has remained a determined fiscal conservative, Ramstad tends to vote somewhat liberal on social issues such as abortion and stem cell research. He has also voted with the Democrats this year on bills that would raise the minimum wage, repeal tax cuts for oil companies, and implement recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

The issue that Ramstad is most passionate about, however, is the availability of health insurance for those suffering from mental illness and addiction. Ramstad himself is a recovering alcoholic who understands the urgent need to expand coverage to the individuals afflicted who normally could never afford it. He originally began working on the bill over a decade ago with the late Senator Paul Wellstone, and Ramstad hopes to pass it before he leaves office following the 2008 elections.

With Jim Ramstad’s departure from the House of Representatives, a district that seemed to be a lock for the Republicans year in and year out has suddenly become competitive for the first time since the early 1990’s. Even though the third district has elected a Republican as their State Representative for the last nine elections, one can be sure that the upcoming election will be far from a cakewalk for the GOP.

The Democrats have been steadily gaining ground in this district for several years, and it looks as if the Republicans are going to have to fight tooth and nail to avoid losing even more seats in the House in the coming elections.