Rick Nolan having a wonderful time greeting supporters. Photo by Paul Blume / FOX 9 News.DULUTH, Minn. (KMSP) -
Chip Cravaack has conceded in Minnesota's 8th congressional district, putting Democrat Rick Nolan back into Congress after a three-decade absence.
Nolan remained cautiously optimistic throughout Election Day, but knew he had a real chance when returns from Duluth swung heavily in his favor.
"There's nothing more difficult in politics than defeating incumbent congressman," Nolan said earlier in the night.
The Nolan campaign said they needed close to 60 percent of vote in St. Louis County to unseat Cravaack. As numbers continued to beat the campaign's projections, one staffer said it was "just a matter of time" before Nolan wrapped up the race.
Nolan recaptures a northeastern Minnesota seat long considered Democratic turf – one held by Jim Oberstar from 1975 to 2011.
Cravaack served just one term in Congress after his 2010 upset win.
