Former Congressman Rick Nolan dies at 80

Kyle Brown KSTP

FILE - U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., speaks with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in Washington, D.C. (KSTP/file)

Former Minnesota Congressman Rick Nolan has died, the DFL Party announced on Friday. He was 80 years old.

The Brainerd native served two stints in Congress, first representing Minnesota’s 6th District from 1975-81 and again representing Minnesota’s 8th District from 2013-19. He also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1969-73.

Nolan chose not to run for reelection in 2018 in part so he could focus his energy on raising awareness for lung cancer research after his daughter Katherine was diagnosed. She passed away in 2020.

Condolences to the family of former MN Congressman Rick Nolan on his passing at age 80. Rick chose not to run for re-election in 2018 in the 8th District. He focused his energy on raising awareness for lung cancer research while his late daughter Katherine battled the disease. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/vYa6A14IC6
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) October 18, 2024

“Rick Nolan was a champion for the Northland who fought fiercely to protect working people from corporate interests,” DFL Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement. “From Ely to Duluth, he was an ambassador for the DFL creed that ‘we all do better when we all do better.’ Our thoughts are with his family and all who came to know and love this dedicated public servant.”