1986Final results
1986 election for Minnesota's 8th District
U.S. House · Minnesota
James Oberstar (D) won with 72.6% of the vote, defeating Dave Rued (R) by 45.1 points.
James OberstarDemocrat · winner
72.6%135,718
Dave RuedRepublican
27.4%51,315
187,045 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1986
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
James OberstarDave Rued
$297.1K
Raised by the campaign
$69K
$163.6K
Spent by the campaign
$68.9K
$134.7K
Cash on hand
$236
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986