Long-time Minnesota political leader Jim Ramstad died Thursday at the age of 74 after a long illness.
Ramstad was originally born in Jamestown, North Dakota, he became a lawyer after attending the University of Minnesota and George Washington University Law School. He worked as an attorney and a legislative aid prior to being elected to the Minnesota Senate where he served from 1981-1990 as a Republican.
In 1991, Ramstad began a long run in the U.S. House as a Republican in Minnesota's 3rd District. Known as being a very moderate Republican, Ramstad normally won his elections easily over Democratic challengers in the district.
Jim Ramstad (middle, gray sweatshirt) with Dave Lee, Roger Erickson and Paul Wellstone in Washington D.C. in the 1990's.(Entercom / Dave Lee)
He is mainly remembered for his work with mental health and chemical addiction, Ramstad worked both in Congress, and personally, to reduce discrimination against those suffering with mental health issues, and to find treatment for those with addiction problems. He was key in crafting and getting the Mental Health Parity Bill passed and signed into law in December, 2008.
Ramstad, known as "Rammer" to his friends, announced he would not seek reelection in 2008. He still focused his time in helping those with addictions and mental health issues. He identified himself as a recovering alcoholic and had been sober since 1981.
