Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Where was Rod Grams educated between Dec 1971 and Dec 1971?
Rod Grams Rodney Dwight Grams ( February 4 , 1948 – October 8 , 2013 ) was an American politician from Minnesota . He served as a Republican in both the United States House of Representatives and the U.S . Senate . Early life . Grams was born in Princeton , Minnesota and attended Brown Institute ( 1966–68 ) , Anoka-Ramsey Community College ( 1970–72 ) , and Carroll College ( 1974–75 ) . Grams spent 23 years in the field of television and radio broadcasting before launching a career in politics . From 1982–91 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 the use of solar energy in residential homes . Early political career . Grams launched his political career by winning the 1992 Republican nomination in Minnesotas 6th congressional district . 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 Sikorskis involvement in the House banking scandal . He served in the 103rd Congress as a member of the House of Representatives , and 104th , 105th , and 106th congresses as a member of the U.S . Senate . U.S . Senate . After David Durenberger announced he would not seek reelection , Grams surprised many by announcing , just months into beginning his first term in the U.S . House , that he would run for the U.S . 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 Partys state convention , McFarland dropped out of the U.S . Senate race after endorsing Allen Quist for Governor and joining his ticket to become Quists Lieutenant Governor running mate . Later , McFarland threw his support behind McKasy in the U.S . 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 Carlsons Lieutenant Governor Joanell Dyrstad , who had been replaced as his running mate with State Senator Joanne Benson . In the general election against Democratic Farm Labor candidate Ann Wynia and Independence Party candidate future Senator Dean Barkley , Grams won a close election ( 49% to 44% ) to become Minnesotas next U.S . Senator . Grams ran for re-election in 2000 as the incumbent , losing to Mark Dayton . During the campaign , Grams wife Christine Gunhus was revealed to have written anonymous disparaging emails about Grams potential Democratic rival , Mike Ciresi , from her home computer . She received a fine and suspended sentence for violating political advertising regulations . The Grams campaign also ran a commercial during the campaign featuring the mother of Rod Grams . The spot ended with Audrey Grams uttering , Uffda , vote for Rod . 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 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 Minnesotas 8th congressional district . Oberstar defeated Grams handily . Grams remained active in politics and interested in running for public office . In 2008 , Grams 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 were 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 Governor of Minnesota stating , Im so damn unhappy with the Republicans right now .. . Im so unhappy with the candidates that we have I could puke . I wanted to get out there and mix it up . However , Grams endorsed Republican Tom Emmer in the 2010 campaign for governor . Emmer , like Grams a decade before , lost to Mark Dayton . Illness and death . On September 4 , 2013 , it was announced that Grams had been battling colon cancer since 2012 and was receiving hospice care at his home . He died on October 8 , 2013 , at his home in Crown , Minnesota , aged 65 . Further reading . - The Senatorial records of Rod Grams are available for research use at the Minnesota Historical Society .