Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
St. Paul, Minn.

James Oberstar, 1934-2014

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Oberstar made transportation issues a priority.
President Bush looked back towards members of Congress after signing the Aviation Security Bill at Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport on Nov. 19, 2001. From left to right behind Bush is, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, Rep. John Duncan Jr., R-Tenn., Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., and Rep Connie Morella, R-Md.
Doug Mills / AP

Former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, a DFLer who represented Minnesota's 8th District from 1975 to 2011, has died. Oberstar was 79. Oberstar was elected to Congress in 1974 and served 18 terms before he narrowly lost to GOP challenger Chip Cravaack in 2010 as part of a Republican takeover of the House. He was the state's longest-serving member of Congress.

Gallery
11 of 11
Oberstar leaves
U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar left the Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building in Duluth, Minn. after speaking to the media on , Nov. 3, 2010, after being defeated by his Republican challenger.
Derek Montgomery / For MPR News
1 of 11
Jim Oberstar
Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale, left, left a food shelf store in Gilbert, Minnesota, with U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., on Feb. 21, 1983.
Jim Mone/AP
2 of 11
Oberstar made transportation issues a priority.
President Bush looked back towards members of Congress after signing the Aviation Security Bill at Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport on Nov. 19, 2001. From left to right behind Bush is, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, Rep. John Duncan Jr., R-Tenn., Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., and Rep Connie Morella, R-Md.
Doug Mills / AP