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By Titomuerte at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16065061
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Jamestown native and former Minnesota Rep. Jim Ramstad died Thursday, November 5th.
He was 74 and had been ailing from Parkinson’s disease, his former chief of staff Dean Peterson said in a note announcing Ramstad’s death.
Minnesota Public Radio reports Ramstad represented Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District for nine terms, retiring in 2009. He was routinely elected with two-thirds or more of the vote in his suburban district near Minneapolis.
Genial and quick with a laugh, Ramstad was known for reaching across the aisle on legislation.
“Jim’s political philosophy was guided by a fundamental belief in the importance of working in a bipartisan, pragmatic, common sense way to solve problems,” Peterson wrote.
He added that Ramstad “was a dedicated public servant who impacted numerous lives through his policy accomplishments and personal service. He leaves a legacy of love, service, dignity and respect, especially for the most vulnerable in our society.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took to Twitter to recognize Ramstad’s achievements.
“Jim Ramstad was a colleague, mentor and friend,” Walz tweeted. “It was a privilege to serve with him in Congress. Few members of Congress commanded the respect and admiration of their peers and constituents that Jim Ramstad did. Jim made the world a better place.”
Ramstad is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and a daughter, Christen DeLaney.