2006Final results
2006 election for Minnesota's 8th District
U.S. House · Minnesota
James Oberstar (D) won with 63.6% of the vote, defeating Rod Grams (R) by 29.2 points.
James OberstarDemocrat · winner
63.6%180,670
Rod GramsRepublican
34.4%97,683
Harry WeltyOther party
1.9%5,508
284,016 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 2006
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 OberstarRod Grams
$1.4M
Raised by the campaign
$468.7K
$1.4M
Spent by the campaign
$546.1K
$172.1K
Cash on hand
$439
Other candidates' campaigns: Harry Welty $5.7K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2006.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2006