Rod Grams was born February 4, 1948 at Princeton, Minnesota, and grew up on a dairy farm. He attended St. Francis High School, Anoka-Ramsey Junior College (1970-1972), Brown Institute (Minneapolis) (1966-1968), and Carroll College (Helena, Montana) (1974-1975).
Early in his career Grams worked as an engineering consultant for Orr-Schelen Mayeron and Associates (Minneapolis). He then spent a number of years in television and radio broadasting, working as a producer and anchorman at KFBB-TV (Great Falls, Montana); WSAU-TV (Wausau, Wisconsin); and WIFR-TV (Rockford, Illinois). He was the senior news anchor at KMSP-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul) from 1982 to 1991. In 1985 he formed Sun Ridge Builders, a Twin Cities construction and residential development company, and served as its President and CEO.
Grams was elected to Congress in 1992, defeating incumbent Democratic Representative Gerry Sikorski. He represented Minnesota's sixth congressional district for one term (1993-1995). In the House he served on the Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs, and Science and Technology committees, and was the freshman Republican Whip. He gained the distinction of being the first freshman in the 103rd Congress to get legislation enacted into law: a bill to provide regulatory relief for loans for those devastated by the 1993 Midwest flood.
Grams was elected to the United States Senate in 1995, replacing retiring Republican senator Dave Durenberger. His Senate campaign focused on the themes of cutting taxes, controlling government spending, and ensuring safety against crime and criminals. In the Senate he served on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources, Foreign Relations, Joint Economic, and Budget committees. His legislative priorities included deficit reduction, congressional reform, health care reform, and economic growth. He was also interested in revamping Social Security. His signature achievement is said to have been passage of a $500-per-child tax credit. Grams lost his bid for reelecton in 2000 to Democrat Mark Dayton.
After leaving the Senate Grams worked in Washington, D.C. as a consultant, and with his wife was the owner of three radio stations in Minnesota. In 2006 he was endorsed to run for Congress in Minnesota's eighth district against long-time Democratic incumbent James L. Oberstar.
Grams and his wife Laurel have four children: Michelle, Tammy, Rhiannon, and Morgan.
From the guide to the Senatorial files., 1957-2001 (bulk 1995-2000)., (Minnesota Historical Society)
