Rod Grams
Encyclopedia
Rodney Dwight "Rod" Grams (born February 4, 1948) served the state of Minnesota
in both the United States House of Representatives
and the U.S. Senate
.
and attended Brown Institute, 1966–8, Anoka-Ramsey Community College
, 1970–2, and Carroll College, 1974–5.
Grams spent 23 years in the field of television and radio broadcasting before launching a career in politics. From 1982 to 1991 he was the senior news anchor at KMSP-TV
in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Before that, he worked as a news anchor/producer for KFBB-TV
in Great Falls, Montana; WSAU-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin; and WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois. Prior to his years in broadcasting, Grams worked at an engineering consulting firm for seven years.
In 1985, Grams formed Sun Ridge Builders, a Twin Cities construction and residential development company, serving as its president and CEO. He was involved in architectural design and particularly interested in the use of solar energy in residential homes. Grams served in the 103rd
, 104th
, 105th
, and 106th congresses
from 1993 to 2001.
. He defeated Democratic incumbent Gerry Sikorski
in the general election. During the campaign, Grams benefited from high name recognition in the district—from years as news anchor at KMSP-TV
-- and Sikorski's involvement in the House banking scandal
.
announced he would not seek reelection, Grams surprised many by announcing, just months into beginning his first term in the US House, that he would run for the US Senate. However, Grams faced opposition for the Republican party
endorsement from State Senator Gen Olson
, Bert McKasy (former chief of staff to David Durenberger
), and Doug McFarland
.
During the party endorsement process, the Grams campaign closely aligned itself with supporters of Allen Quist
, who was challenging incumbent Governor Arne Carlson
for reelection in the 1994 Gubernatorial race
. Weeks before the Republican Party's state convention, Doug McFarland dropped out of the US Senate race after endorsing Allen Quist
for Governor and joining his ticket to become Quist's Lieutenant Governor
running mate. Later, McFarland threw his support behind Bert McKasy in the US Senate Republican Party endorsement campaign. After numerous ballots at the convention in St. Paul, Grams won the state Republican party
endorsement against State Senator Gen Olson
and Bert McKasy. Grams moved on to win the Republican primary against Arne Carlson's
Lieutenant Governor Joanell Dyrstad
-- who had been replaced as his running mate with State Senator Joanne Benson
. In the general election against
DFL candidate Ann Wynia
and Independence Party
candidate Dean Barkley
, Grams won a close election to become Minnesota's next US Senator.
Grams attempted a political comeback in the 2006 U.S. Senate campaign. He sought the GOP nomination for his former US Senate seat, facing Mark Kennedy and Gil Gutknecht
. However, after a poor showing early in the endorsement process, Grams dropped his candidacy. Grams switched his political plans and ran in the 2006 U.S. House election
, challenging the incumbent Jim Oberstar
in Minnesota's 8th congressional district
. Oberstar defeated Grams handily.
Grams continues to stay active in politics and interested in running for public office. In 2008, Grams shared he considered challenging incumbent Norm Coleman
for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination but was too busy in his private life to make a run, stating, "And my wife (Chris) would have killed me if I would have, because of some things that we're doing."
However, it became unclear whether Grams would run as a Republican. In an interview, he expressed disappointment over the perceived failings of the Republican Party, going as far as to ponder whether he can call himself a Republican or vote for party candidates anymore.
Grams considered a 2010 run for Minnesota Governor stating, "I'm so damn unhappy with the Republicans right now ... I’m so unhappy with the candidates that we have I could puke. I wanted to get out there and mix it up." However, Grams has endorsed Republican Tom Emmer
in the 2010 party endorsement campaign for governor.
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
in both the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
Early life
Grams was born in Princeton, MinnesotaPrinceton, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,933 people, 1,624 households, and 998 families residing in the city. The population density was 887.7 people per square mile . There were 1,670 housing units at an average density of 376.9 per square mile...
and attended Brown Institute, 1966–8, Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, with campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids, has been a provider of higher education and training in the north suburban area of Minneapolis/St...
, 1970–2, and Carroll College, 1974–5.
Grams spent 23 years in the field of television and radio broadcasting before launching a career in politics. From 1982 to 1991 he was the senior news anchor at KMSP-TV
KMSP-TV
KMSP-TV, channel 9, is the Fox-owned-and-operated television station serving the Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota designated market area, owned in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate WFTC...
in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Before that, he worked as a news anchor/producer for KFBB-TV
KFBB-TV
KFBB-TV is a full-service television station in Great Falls, Montana, broadcasting locally on digital VHF channel 8 as an affiliate of ABC. Founded March 21, 1954, the station is owned by Max Media. KFBB-TV also operates a semi-satellite for the Helena area, KHBB-LD channel 21...
in Great Falls, Montana; WSAU-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin; and WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois. Prior to his years in broadcasting, Grams worked at an engineering consulting firm for seven years.
In 1985, Grams formed Sun Ridge Builders, a Twin Cities construction and residential development company, serving as its president and CEO. He was involved in architectural design and particularly interested in the use of solar energy in residential homes. Grams served in the 103rd
103rd United States Congress
- House of Representatives :- Leadership :- Senate :* President: Dan Quayle , until January 20, 1993** Al Gore , from January 20, 1993* President pro tempore: Robert Byrd - Majority leadership :* Majority Leader: George Mitchell...
, 104th
104th United States Congress
The One Hundred Fourth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1995 to January 3, 1997, during the third and...
, 105th
105th United States Congress
The One Hundred Fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1997 to January 3, 1999, during the fifth and...
, and 106th congresses
106th United States Congress
The One Hundred Sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1999 to January 3, 2001, during the last two...
from 1993 to 2001.
Early political career
Grams launched his political career by winning the 1992 Republican nomination in Minnesota's 6th congressional districtMinnesota's 6th congressional district
Minnesota's 6th congressional district includes most or all of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Anoka, and Washington counties. The district is Republican-leaning with a CPVI of R + 7. It is currently represented by Republican Michele Bachmann....
. He defeated Democratic incumbent Gerry Sikorski
Gerry Sikorski
Gerald Edward Sikorski is a Minnesota politician and lawyer. He was a U.S. Representative representing Minnesota's 6th congressional district as a DFL member from January 3, 1983 to January 3, 1993 in the 98th, 99th, 100th, 101st, and 102nd Congresses. He served as Whip-at-Large and as a member of...
in the general election. During the campaign, Grams benefited from high name recognition in the district—from years as news anchor at KMSP-TV
KMSP-TV
KMSP-TV, channel 9, is the Fox-owned-and-operated television station serving the Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota designated market area, owned in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate WFTC...
-- and Sikorski's involvement in the House banking scandal
House banking scandal
The House banking scandal broke in early 1992, when it was revealed that the United States House of Representatives allowed members to overdraw their House checking accounts without risk of being penalized by the House bank ....
.
U.S. Senate
After David DurenbergerDavid Durenberger
David Ferdinand Durenberger is an American politician and a former Republican member of the U.S. Senate from Minnesota.- Early life :...
announced he would not seek reelection, Grams surprised many by announcing, just months into beginning his first term in the US House, that he would run for the US Senate. However, Grams faced opposition for the Republican party
Republican Party of Minnesota
The Republican Party of Minnesota is the Minnesota branch of the United States Republican Party. Elected by the party’s state central committee in June 2009, its chairman is Tony Sutton, and its deputy-chairman is Michael Brodkorb.-Early history:...
endorsement from State Senator Gen Olson
Gen Olson
Gen Olson is a Minnesota politician and a member of the Minnesota Senate representing District 33, which includes portions of Hennepin and Wright counties in the western Twin Cities metropolitan area. A Republican, she was first elected to the Senate in 1982, and was re-elected in 1986, 1990,...
, Bert McKasy (former chief of staff to David Durenberger
David Durenberger
David Ferdinand Durenberger is an American politician and a former Republican member of the U.S. Senate from Minnesota.- Early life :...
), and Doug McFarland
Doug McFarland
Douglas Dale McFarland is a college professor at Hamline University and is a Minnesota politician.-Biography and Titles:...
.
During the party endorsement process, the Grams campaign closely aligned itself with supporters of Allen Quist
Allen Quist
Allen J. Quist is a Minnesota politician, a former state representative, and a two-time candidate for governor of the state.-State representative:...
, who was challenging incumbent Governor Arne Carlson
Arne Carlson
Arne Helge Carlson, Sr. is an American politician and the 37th Governor of the state of Minnesota.-Early years, education and family:...
for reelection in the 1994 Gubernatorial race
Minnesota gubernatorial election, 1994
The 1994 Minnesota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994. Republican Party of Minnesota candidate Arne Carlson defeated Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party challenger John Marty.-Results:-General election:...
. Weeks before the Republican Party's state convention, Doug McFarland dropped out of the US Senate race after endorsing Allen Quist
Allen Quist
Allen J. Quist is a Minnesota politician, a former state representative, and a two-time candidate for governor of the state.-State representative:...
for Governor and joining his ticket to become Quist's Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor (United States)
In the United States, 43 of the 50 states have a separate, full-time office of lieutenant governor. In most cases, the lieutenant governor is the highest officer of state after the governor, standing in for that officer when he or she is absent from the state or temporarily incapacitated...
running mate. Later, McFarland threw his support behind Bert McKasy in the US Senate Republican Party endorsement campaign. After numerous ballots at the convention in St. Paul, Grams won the state Republican party
Republican Party of Minnesota
The Republican Party of Minnesota is the Minnesota branch of the United States Republican Party. Elected by the party’s state central committee in June 2009, its chairman is Tony Sutton, and its deputy-chairman is Michael Brodkorb.-Early history:...
endorsement against State Senator Gen Olson
Gen Olson
Gen Olson is a Minnesota politician and a member of the Minnesota Senate representing District 33, which includes portions of Hennepin and Wright counties in the western Twin Cities metropolitan area. A Republican, she was first elected to the Senate in 1982, and was re-elected in 1986, 1990,...
and Bert McKasy. Grams moved on to win the Republican primary against Arne Carlson's
Arne Carlson
Arne Helge Carlson, Sr. is an American politician and the 37th Governor of the state of Minnesota.-Early years, education and family:...
Lieutenant Governor Joanell Dyrstad
Joanell Dyrstad
Joanell M. Dyrstad was the 43rd Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota. She served January 7, 1991 to January 3, 1995 and was elected with Governor Arne Carlson. She ran for the U.S. Senate seat in 1994 but lost in the primary to Rod Grams...
-- who had been replaced as his running mate with State Senator Joanne Benson
Joanne Benson
Joanne E. Benson was the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota from January 3, 1995 to January 4, 1999. An Independent Republican, she was elected on the gubernatorial ticket with Governor Arne Carlson, competing for the party endorsement with Allen Quist and Doug McFarland, and later in the...
. In the general election against
United States Senate election in Minnesota, 1994
The 1994 United States Senate election in Minnesota was held in 1994. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator David Durenberger decided to retire instead of seeking a third full term. Republican Rod Grams won the open seat.-Results:- References :...
DFL candidate Ann Wynia
Ann Wynia
Ann Wynia is a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and former president of North Hennepin Community College.-Early life and education:...
and Independence Party
Independence Party of Minnesota
The Independence Party of Minnesota , formerly the Reform Party of Minnesota, is the third largest political party in Minnesota, behind the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and Republican Party . It is the political party of former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura , and endorsed former U.S...
candidate Dean Barkley
Dean Barkley
Dean Malcolm Barkley is a politician who briefly served as a member of the United States Senate from Minnesota following the death of Paul Wellstone...
, Grams won a close election to become Minnesota's next US Senator.
Post-Senate career
After his 2000 re-election defeat, Grams went back into private business and in 2004 became the owner of three radio stations in Little Falls, Minnesota. Grams divorced his first wife (Lolly) and married Erikstrup-Gunhus (today known as Chris Grams or Christine Gunhus). Rumors had circulated that Grams and Erikstrup-Gunhus were "personally involved" since his 1992 U.S. House campaign. Spouses of Members of Congress cannot draw salaries if they serve on their staff but average for a Chief of Staff to a U.S. Senator in 2000 was $116,573.Grams attempted a political comeback in the 2006 U.S. Senate campaign. He sought the GOP nomination for his former US Senate seat, facing Mark Kennedy and Gil Gutknecht
Gil Gutknecht
Gilbert William "Gil" Gutknecht, Jr. is an American politician. Gutknecht was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives first elected in 1994 to represent Minnesota's 1st congressional district, one of eight congressional districts in Minnesota...
. However, after a poor showing early in the endorsement process, Grams dropped his candidacy. Grams switched his political plans and ran in the 2006 U.S. House election
United States House elections, 2006
- House of Representatives prior to the election :As of November 7, 2006, the U.S. House of the 109th Congress was composed of 229 Republicans, 201 Democrats and 1 Independent . There were also four vacancies...
, challenging the incumbent Jim Oberstar
Jim Oberstar
James Louis "Jim" Oberstar is a former U.S. Representative who served in the U.S. Congress from 1975 until 2011 as a member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party. He represented northeastern , which included the cities of Duluth, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, International Falls, and Hibbing...
in Minnesota's 8th congressional district
Minnesota's 8th congressional district
Minnesota's 8th congressional district covers the northeastern part of Minnesota. It is anchored by Duluth, Minnesota which is the fourth largest city in state. It also includes most of the Mesabi and Vermilion iron ranges. The district is best-known for its mining, agriculture, tourism, and...
. Oberstar defeated Grams handily.
Grams continues to stay active in politics and interested in running for public office. In 2008, Grams shared he considered challenging incumbent Norm Coleman
Norm Coleman
Norman Bertram Coleman, Jr. is an American attorney and politician. He was a United States senator from Minnesota from 2003 to 2009. Coleman was elected in 2002 and served in the 108th, 109th, and 110th Congresses. Before becoming a senator, he was mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, from 1994 to 2002...
for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination but was too busy in his private life to make a run, stating, "And my wife (Chris) would have killed me if I would have, because of some things that we're doing."
However, it became unclear whether Grams would run as a Republican. In an interview, he expressed disappointment over the perceived failings of the Republican Party, going as far as to ponder whether he can call himself a Republican or vote for party candidates anymore.
Grams considered a 2010 run for Minnesota Governor stating, "I'm so damn unhappy with the Republicans right now ... I’m so unhappy with the candidates that we have I could puke. I wanted to get out there and mix it up." However, Grams has endorsed Republican Tom Emmer
Tom Emmer
Thomas Earl "Tom" Emmer, Jr. was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 until 2011 and the Republican nominee for governor in the 2010 election. He represented District 19B, which includes portions of Wright and Hennepin Counties and the cities of Otsego, Albertville, St....
in the 2010 party endorsement campaign for governor.
Electoral history
Additional Resources
- The Senatorial records of Rod Grams are available for research use at the Minnesota Historical Society.