2000Final results
2000 election for Minnesota's 8th District
U.S. House · Minnesota
James Oberstar (D) won with 67.8% of the vote, defeating Bob Lemen (R) by 42.0 points.
James OberstarDemocrat · winner
67.8%210,094
Bob LemenRepublican
25.8%79,890
Mike DarlingIndependent
6.4%19,667
309,651 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 2000
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 OberstarBob Lemen
$788.7K
Raised by the campaign
$18.3K
$852.8K
Spent by the campaign
$17.5K
$138.8K
Cash on hand
$781
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2000.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2000