Jim Oberstar | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 8th district | |
In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 2011 | |
Preceded by | John Blatnik |
Succeeded by | Chip Cravaack |
Chair of the House Transportation Committee | |
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Don Young |
Succeeded by | John Mica |
Ranking Member of the House Transportation Committee | |
In office October 10, 1995 – January 3, 2007 | |
Preceded by | Norman Mineta |
Succeeded by | John Mica |
Personal details | |
Born | James Louis Oberstar September 10, 1934 Chisholm, Minnesota, U.S. |
Died | May 3, 2014 Potomac, Maryland, U.S. | (aged 79)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Jo Garlick (Deceased) Jean Kurth |
Children | 4 |
Education | University of St. Thomas, Minnesota (BA) College of Europe (MA) |
James Louis Oberstar (September 10, 1934 – May 3, 2014) was an American politician and Congressman who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 2011.[1] Hailing from Minnesota and a member of the state's local Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, he represented the northeastern eighth congressional district, which included the cities of Duluth, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, International Falls, and Hibbing, and consisted in an area of Minnesota known as the Iron Range. He was chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 2007 until his departure, previously being the ranking minority member since 1995. In November 2010, he was defeated by a margin of 4,407 votes by Republican Chip Cravaack. He served the longest tenure of any Congressman from Minnesota.