Rod Grams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from Minnesota | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | David Durenberger |
| Succeeded by | Mark Dayton |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 6th district | |
| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Gerry Sikorski |
| Succeeded by | Bill Luther |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rodney Dwight Grams February 4, 1948 Princeton, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | October 8, 2013 (aged 65) Crown, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Christine Gunhus |
| Alma mater | Brown College Anoka-Ramsey Community College Carroll University |
| Signature |  |
Rodney Dwight Grams (February 4, 1948 – October 8, 2013) was an American politician and television news anchor who served in both the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. A local news anchor, Grams became well-known for working at Twin Cities station KMSP-TV from 1982 until 1991. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Grams was born on a farm in Princeton, Minnesota, and worked at several other news stations throughout the Midwest and Great Plains before serving as KMSP's senior news anchor. After retiring from television, he launched a successful bid for Congress in Minnesota's 6th congressional district against embattled Democratic incumbent Gerry Sikorski in 1992. He served one term, opting to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican David Durenberger in 1994. He won the 1994 Senate election and was defeated for reelection by Mark Dayton in 2000.
Grams sought election to his old Senate seat in 2006, but dropped out before the Republican primary. He also ran again for election to the House in Minnesota's 8th congressional district in 2006 as the Republican-endorsed candidate but lost to incumbent Democrat Jim Oberstar.