Ramstad announces retirement

Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) announced Monday that he will not run for a 10th term in Congress.

{mosads} The lawmaker becomes the sixth Republican House member to retire this cycle and creates an open seat in a bona fide swing district. Ramstad’s retirement ranks as one of the bigger surprises of the six. Despite his 17 years in Congress, Ramstad is just 61.

He was forced to cede the chairmanship of the House Ways and Means oversight subcommittee when the Democrats took power after the 2006 election.

Ramstad, who has built a centrist voting record during his tenure, has spent much of the new Congress voting with Democrats on key issues. He was one of only 17 Republicans to vote against the troop increase in Iraq and one of 24 to vote to allow the government to negotiate prices with prescription drug companies.

Ramstad has been known on Capitol Hill for his work on economic issues and with substance abuse. A former alcoholic who quit drinking 25 years ago, Ramstad has helped several other members deal with addiction.

His suburban Minneapolis district has trended Democratic during his time in office and voted narrowly for President Bush in 2004. While he carried it with ease, including with 65 percent in 2006, it figures to be a battleground next year.

It is not yet clear who Republicans have waiting in the wings.

Ramstad is preceded in retirement by Republican Reps. Dennis Hastert (Ill.), Ray LaHood (Ill.), Chip Pickering (Miss.), Deborah Pryce (Ohio) and Rick Renzi (Ariz.).

Republicans will also have an open seat in Ohio’s 5th district. Rep. Paul Gillmor (R), who represented the district, died earlier this month.