Third District Congressman Jim Ramstad's explanation for why he decided not to seek a tenth term in the U.S. House was straightforward.

"I burned out. I'm tired," said Ramstad, a Republican lawmaker whose politically moderate course has had him winning by big margins in the suburban 3rd District - a district including the City of Coon Rapids.

"I want to be back in Minnesota," said Ramstad on Monday (Sept. 17), his wife Kathryn at his side. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Third District Congressman Jim Ramstad's explanation for why he decided not to seek a tenth term in the U.S. House was straightforward.

"I burned out. I'm tired," said Ramstad, a Republican lawmaker whose politically moderate course has had him winning by big margins in the suburban 3rd District - a district including the City of Coon Rapids.

"I want to be back in Minnesota," said Ramstad on Monday (Sept. 17), his wife Kathryn at his side.

Ramstad, 61, making his retirement announcement in Minnetonka, insisted though he was leaving elected office he would continue to assist people suffering from chemical dependency - an alcoholic, Ramstad has been sober for 26 years and has always spoken openly about his own chemical addiction.

"They (voters) gave me a second chance," said Ramstad of a drinking-related episode that landed him in jail decades ago.

Ramstad considers passage of a mental health and chemical addiction parity bill, legislation aimed at giving greater access to treatment for people suffering from mental illness or addiction, to be his legacy.

"(Congressman) Patrick Kennedy and I look forward to dedicating this landmark parity law to the memory of its original author and our friend, Paul Wellstone," said Ramstad.

"Believe me I'm not going to quit," he said of working on behalf of those suffering from chemical dependency.

Ramstad's departure from the U.S. House was not the result of Democrats gaining control of Congress last election, he explained.

He did lament the lack of bipartisanship in Washington and expressed hoped that whoever will be the next representative from the 3rd District will retain a bipartisan spirit.

Besides keeping active in helping people suffering from chemical addiction, Ramstad indicated he might want to teach.

Inerested in politics since a young man

Ramstad, born in North Dakota, was interested in politics since a young man. There is a famous photo of a teenage Bill Clinton shaking hands with President John Kennedy as part of a youth in government program event at the White House in the early 1960s. Ramstad can be seen standing in the in the photo in the background.

Ramstad served in the Minnesota Senate for a decade before being elected to Congress in 1990.

Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Ron Carey styled the congressman a giant of a human being whose victories in life are more than political.

Carey expects a big field of Republican and Democratic candidates to emerge in the upcoming weeks in the 3rd District - names may start appearing tomorrow, he opined.

Carey opined another moderate Republican could do well running in the 3rd. Both Ramstad and Carey do not consider the district a Republican stronghold. Carey talked of Republicans needing to break a sweat in retaining the seat. Republicans currently hold three of Minnesota's eight congressional districts.

Plaudits come before announcement

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