Former Congressman Ramstad dies

WAYZATA, Minn.  – Former Minnesota congressman Jim Ramstad, who represented MN-3 for 18 years, died at home. He was 74. Ramstad’s former chief of staff, Dean Peterson, attributed death to Parkinson’s disease. Before representing Minneapolis in the U.S. House, Ramstad served for 10 years in the Minnesota Senate. He was a moderate Republican whose battle with alcoholism led him to become a champion of mental health and recovery issues. Ramstad sponsored legislation that has offered treatment for millions.