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{{Short description|American politician (1943–2024)}}
{{redirect|Richard Nolan|other people named Richard Nolan|Richard Nolan (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Rick Nolan
| image               = Rick Nolan official photo.jpg
| state               = [[Minnesota]]
| term_start          = January 3, 2013
| term_end            = January 3, 2019
| predecessor         = [[Chip Cravaack]]
| successor           = [[Pete Stauber]]
| constituency        = {{Ushr|MN|8|c}}
| term_start1         = January 3, 1975
| term_end1           = January 3, 1981
| predecessor1        = [[John M. Zwach]]
| successor1          = [[Vin Weber]]
| constituency1       = {{Ushr|MN|6|c}}
| state_house2        = Minnesota
| district2           = 53A
| term_start2         = January 7, 1969
| term_end2           = January 1, 1973
| successor2          = Raymond Kempe
| predecessor2        = John Lemme
| birth_name          = Richard Michael Nolan
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|1943|12|17}}
| birth_place         = [[Brainerd, Minnesota]], U.S.
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|2024|10|18|1943|12|17}}{{efn|name = DoD}}
| death_place         = [[Nisswa, Minnesota]], U.S.
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse              = {{Ubl|{{marriage|Marjorie C. Langer|1964|1982|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Mary L. Wieland|1984}}}}
| education           = [[University of Minnesota]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| website             = {{URL|nolan.house.gov|House website}}
| children            = 4
| caption             = Official portrait, 2013
| relatives           = [[Martin J. McGowan Jr.]] (uncle)
}}

'''Richard Michael Nolan''' (December 17, 1943 – October 18, 2024){{efn|name = DoD|Nolan's date of death has been given as October 18, 2024, by multiple sources, including the website for the funeral home handling his memorial service.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.nelson-doran.com/obituary/Richard-Nolan|title = Official Obituary of Richard M. Nolan|website = Nelson-Doran Funeral Home|accessdate = October 22, 2024}}</ref><ref name = Karnowski>{{cite news|url = https://apnews.com/article/rick-nolan-obituary-minnesota-congress-a6e7e27e48e2a10ddf110d066e31c42a|title = Rick Nolan, who represented two Minnesota congressional districts three decades apart, dies at 80|last = Karnowski|first = Steve|date = October 18, 2024|accessdate = October 18, 2024|work = [[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/10/19/memorial-service-for-former-congressman-rick-nolan-will-be-oct-26|title = Memorial service for former Congressman Rick Nolan will be Oct. 26|work = [[Minnesota Public Radio]]|date = October 19, 2024|accessdate = October 19, 2024}}</ref> Some other sources have given his date of death as October 17.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/local/former-minnesota-congressman-rick-nolan-dies|title = Former Minnesota Congressman Rick Nolan dies|last = Bourke|first = Theresa|date = October 18, 2024|accessdate = October 19, 2024|newspaper = [[Brainerd Dispatch]]}}</ref><ref name = KAXE>{{cite news |url = https://www.kaxe.org/local-news/2024-10-18/champion-for-the-northland-former-democratic-lawmaker-rick-nolan-dies|title = 'Champion for the Northland' former Democratic lawmaker Rick Nolan dies |last1 = Perkins|first1 = Chelsey|last2 = Buffington|first2 = Megan|date = October 18, 2024|accessdate = October 18, 2024|work = [[KAXE]]}}</ref>}} was an American politician and businessman who served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] from [[Minnesota's 8th congressional district]] from 2013 to 2019. He previously served as the U.S. representative from [[Minnesota's 6th congressional district]] between 1975 and 1981 and was also a member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] from 1969 until 1973.

After re-entering politics in 2011, he was nominated to challenge first-term incumbent Republican [[Chip Cravaack]] in the 8th district,<ref>{{cite web |last=O'Rourke |first=Mike |url=http://brainerddispatch.com/news/2011-07-12/nolan-makes-bid-congress-official|title=Nolan makes bid for Congress official|publisher=Brainerd Dispatch|date=July 12, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2012}}</ref> defeating him on November 6, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/11/06/politics/8thdistrict-cravaack-nolan|title=Nolan defeats Cravaack in 8th District|publisher=MPR News|date=November 6, 2012|access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref> Nolan was re-elected in 2014 and 2016.

Nolan's 32-year gap between terms in Congress is the second-longest such break in service (after [[Philip Francis Thomas]]'s 34-year gap from 1841 to 1875)<ref>((cite congressional site |url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Firsts-Milestones/Record-Holders/ |website=U.S. Congress |location=Washington, DC))</ref> in American political history.<ref>{{cite news |last=Viser |first=Matt |date=May 28, 2013 |title=Lawmaker Finds New Realities in Return to Congress: Minnesota's Rick Nolan, Back After 32 Years, Decries Disunity, Focus on Money |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2013/05/27/representative-returns-house-after-three-decades-and-finds-eroded-traditions/U49Txz7dENOFLu1crHD6pN/story.html |newspaper=Boston Globe |location=Boston, MA}}</ref> On February 9, 2018, Nolan announced he would retire from Congress at the end of his current term.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4401206-nolan-wont-seek-re-election|title=Nolan won't seek re-election|access-date=February 9, 2018|language=en|archive-date=August 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804165853/https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4401206-nolan-wont-seek-re-election|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nolan ran for [[Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota]] as the running mate of [[Attorney General of Minnesota]] [[Lori Swanson]] in the [[2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election|2018 gubernatorial election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kstp.com/politics/report-attorney-general-lori-swanson-last-minute-run-governor-rebecca-otto-suspends-campaign/4935325/|title=Attorney General Lori Swanson to Mount Late Bid for Governor, US Rep. Nolan her Running Mate|publisher=[[KSTP-TV]] 5 Eyewitness News}}</ref>  They were defeated in the August primary by [[Tim Walz]] and [[Peggy Flanagan]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bobic |first=Igor |date=August 14, 2018 |title=Rep. Tim Walz Wins Democratic Nomination For Governor Of Minnesota |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/minnesota-democratic-primary-governor_us_5b7301f2e4b025e3596b51b7 |work=Huffington Post |location=New York}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Nolan was born in [[Brainerd, Minnesota]], and graduated from [[Brainerd High School (Minnesota)|Brainerd High School]] in 1962. His aunt was an attorney and judge, whom Nolan called his "biggest political influence growing up."<ref name=nationaljournal>{{cite news|last1=Bennett|first1=Cory|title=Minnesota, 8th House District|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/minnesota-8th-house-district-20121101 |access-date=August 12, 2014|work=National Journal|date=November 1, 2012}}</ref> He attended [[College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University|St. John's University]] in [[Collegeville, Minnesota]], the following year, and completed his undergraduate studies at the [[University of Minnesota]], earning his [[Bachelor of Arts]] in 1966. He was enrolled in the Army ROTC program for two years, from 1962 to 1964. Nolan pursued postgraduate work in public administration and policy formation at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]], and in education at [[St. Cloud State University]].<ref name="congress1">{{cite web |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=N000127 |title=NOLAN, Richard Michael – Biographical Information |publisher=Bioguide.congress.gov |access-date=June 18, 2012}}</ref>

==Early political career==
[[File:Rick Nolan 1977 Congressional photo.jpg|thumb|200px|Nolan during his first stint in Congress in the 1970s]]

Early in his career he served as a staff assistant to [[Walter Mondale]] in the [[United States Senate]],<ref name="state1">{{cite web|title=Nolan, Richard Michael|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.aspx?ID=10465|access-date=June 18, 2012|publisher=Minnesota Legislators Past & Present}}</ref> and was a teacher of social studies in [[Royalton, Minnesota]].<ref name="congress1" /> In 1968, he campaigned for presidential candidate [[Eugene McCarthy]].<ref name="nationaljournal" />

Nolan was elected to the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] in 1968 and served two terms (1969–1973), representing House District 53A ([[Morrison County]]). His uncle [[Martin J. McGowan Jr.]] also served in the Minnesota Legislature.<ref name="leg.state.mn.us">{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.aspx?ID=10465 |title=Nolan, Richard Michael |publisher=Minnesota Legislators Past & Present |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref>

===First tenure in Congress===
He then ran unsuccessfully for [[Minnesota's 6th congressional district]] seat in the [[United States House of Representatives]] in 1972, but was elected in his second run in 1974 to the [[94th United States Congress|94th Congress]] and reelected to the [[95th United States Congress|95th]] and the [[96th United States Congress|96th]].

In 1979, he broke with his party in endorsing Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] for president over the sitting Democratic President [[Jimmy Carter]].<ref name="state1"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Five Democrats May Endorse Ted Kennedy|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=757&dat=19790523&id=_etLAAAAIBAJ&pg=3981,3397646|newspaper=The Virgin Islands Daily News |date=May 23, 1979}}</ref>

In 2007, he endorsed [[Connecticut]] Senator [[Christopher Dodd]] in his campaign for [[President of the United States]], and traveled the state of [[Iowa]] campaigning on his behalf.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kady II|first=Martin |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2008/01/dodd-biden-drop-out-after-iowa-defeat-007705 |title=Dodd, Biden drop out after Iowa defeat |publisher=Politico |date=January 4, 2008 |access-date=June 18, 2012}}</ref>

==Business career==
Nolan decided not to run for reelection in 1980, and served as president of the U.S. Export Corporation until 1986, and was later appointed to and became president of the [[Wells Fargo Place|Minnesota World Trade Center]], a private-public initiative, by then-Democratic Party chairman Governor [[Rudy Perpich]] from 1987 to 1994.<ref name="congress1"/><ref name="leg.state.mn.us"/> The ''National Journal'' reported that "his Republican foes criticized his $70,000 salary, which they considered high for a civil servant at the time, and the budget deficits the company ran up."<ref name=nationaljournal/> He has also served as chairman of the [[Mission Township, Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Mission Township]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://missiontownship.org/ |title=Mission Township, MN |publisher=Missiontownship.org |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref> Planning Committee, president and board member of the [[Central Lakes College]] foundation, to which he helped direct federal funding.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Buchan|first1=Cliff|title=Three decades later, Congressman Nolan finds changes in D.C. |url=http://forestlaketimes.com/2013/10/02/three-decades-later-congressman-nolan-finds-changes-d-c/|access-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=Forest Lake Times|date=October 2, 2013}}</ref> Nolan is the former owner of Emily Wood Products, a small sawmill and pallet factory in the northern Minnesota community of [[Emily, Minnesota|Emily]].<ref name=nationaljournal/> His daughter and son-in-law now own and operate the enterprise.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nolan.house.gov/about/about-rick|title=Full Biography|date=December 11, 2012|work=Congressman Rick Nolan|access-date=August 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

==Return to Congress==
[[File:Rick Nolan official photo.jpg|thumb|Nolan's first official photo since returning to Congress]]

===U.S. Congress campaigns===
;2012
{{Main|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 8}}
Nolan announced his candidacy for the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] on July 12, 2011, challenging incumbent [[Chip Cravaack]] in [[Minnesota's 8th congressional district]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Collins |url=http://minnesotaindependent.com/84386/former-u-s-rep-rick-nolan-enters-8th-district-race |title=Former Rep. Nolan enter 8th District race against Cravaack |publisher=Minnesota Independent |date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=June 18, 2012}}</ref> He won the Democratic primary in August 2012, defeating [[Tarryl Clark]] and Jeff Anderson.<ref>{{cite web|last=Richert |first=Catharine |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2012/05/nolan_invites_c.shtml |title=Nolan invites Cravaack to fishing opener |publisher=Minnesota Public Radio |date=May 11, 2012 |access-date=June 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Jon|title=Nolan wins in 8th; Quist wins in 1st |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/08/14/politics/primary-election-results/|newspaper=Minnesota Public Radio|date=August 15, 2012}}</ref> The [[Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee]] spent about $2 million on his campaign, and the liberal House Majority PAC spent another $1.5 million.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Viser|first1=Matt|title=Lawmaker finds new realities in return to Congress|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2013/05/27/representative-returns-house-after-three-decades-and-finds-eroded-traditions/U49Txz7dENOFLu1crHD6pN/story.html|access-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=Boston Globe|date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> Nolan defeated Cravaack, 54% to 45%, to return to Congress after a 32-year absence.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nolan wins; Bachmann survives toughest race|url=http://www.nujournal.com/page/content.detail/id/263980/Nolan-wins--Bachmann-survives-toughest-race.html?isap=1&nav=5031|newspaper=The Journal|date=November 8, 2012}}</ref>

;2014
{{Main|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 8}}
Nolan ran for re-election in 2014. The Democratic primary took place on August 12, 2014, and the general election on November 4, 2014. He was challenged by Republican nominee [[Stewart Mills III]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Corey|title=Mills moves up in Republican "Young Guns" program|url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/252450731.html|access-date=March 27, 2014 |newspaper=Star Tribune|date=March 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Rourke|first1=Mike|title=Stewart Mills wins GOP endorsement for 8th District race against Rick Nolan |url=http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_25559414/stewart-mills-wins-gop-endorsement-8th-district-race|access-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=Twin Cities|date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> According to ''[[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]]'', Nolan was a vulnerable Democrat in a competitive congressional district. He was targeted by [[Americans for Prosperity]] over his support of the [[Affordable Care Act]]. He was successful in his close re-election bid, defeating Mills 49% to 47%.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nather|first=David|title=Ads hit vulnerable Dems on Obamacare |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/ads-hit-vulnerable-dems-on-obamacare-101530.html|access-date=March 27, 2014|newspaper=Politico|date=December 26, 2013}}</ref>

;2016
{{Main|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 8}}
Nolan faced Mills in a rematch and narrowly defeated him again, 50.2% to 49.6%. Nolan greatly outran the top of the Democratic ticket, as Hillary Clinton became the first Democratic presidential nominee to lose the 8th district since before the Great Depression. Republican Donald Trump won the 8th district by a margin of 16%, but despite this, Nolan managed to survive and win re-election.<ref>{{cite news |last=Condon |first=Patrick |date=November 28, 2016 |title=GOP's Mills to seek recount after narrowly losing northeastern Minnesota congressional race |url=http://www.startribune.com/gop-s-mills-to-seek-recount-after-narrowly-losing-northeastern-minnesota-congressional-race/403480196/|newspaper=Star Tribune |access-date=November 28, 2016 }}</ref>

===Issues===

====Gun policy====

Nolan said that he supported the [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Second Amendment]] but believed there should be some restrictions on gun ownership.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy|first1=Esme|title=Interview: Rep. Rick Nolan Discusses Money In Politics, ISIS & Guns|url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/10/19/interview-rep-rick-nolan-discusses-money-in-politics-isis-guns/|access-date=October 20, 2014|agency=WCCO News}}</ref>
In January 2013, Rick Nolan called the assault weapon ban, which expired in 2004, common sense legislation, saying he didn't need an assault weapon to kill a duck.<ref name="2nd amendment 2013">{{cite news|title=Nolan responds to Cravaak's statements|url=http://brainerddispatch.com/news/political/2012-08-17/nolan-responds-cravaaks-statements|newspaper=Brainerd Dispatch |date=August 17, 2012}}</ref>

====Energy and environment====
Nolan voiced opposition to the proposed route of the [[Enbridge]] [[Sandpiper pipeline]], saying it posed environmental risks to vulnerable wetlands and drinking water in northern Minnesota.<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Rourke|first1=Mike|title=Nolan wants Enbridge Sandpiper route moved south|url=http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/content/nolan-wants-enbridge-sandpiper-route-moved-south-1 |access-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=Bemidji Pioneer|date=July 25, 2014}}</ref>

Nolan voted against an amendment requiring a study of the vulnerabilities of the [[Keystone Pipeline|Keystone XL]] pipeline to a terrorist attack and certification that necessary protections have been put in place.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Henry|first1=Devin|title=A preview of things to come: Republicans smack Rick Nolan on Keystone|url=http://www.minnpost.com/dc-dispatches/2013/05/preview-things-come-republicans-smack-rick-nolan-keystone|access-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=Minn Post|date=May 17, 2013}}</ref>

Nolan supported increased federal investment in the mining industry, including a "$250 million-a-year research center that would look at newer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly ways of extracting resources from the region." He also advocated for speeding up the environmental review process for mining companies.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Henry|first1=Devin|title=Cravaack, Nolan battle over natural resources|url=https://www.minnpost.com/dc-dispatches/2012/09/cravaack-nolan-battle-over-natural-resources|access-date=February 3, 2016|publisher=MinnPost|date=September 26, 2012}}</ref>

====Economic issues====
During a debate in 2012, Nolan said that taxes should be raised and that provisions in the tax code that encourage [[offshoring]] should be eliminated. Nolan also said that the "super-rich" in particular should be targeted for tax increases.<ref name="Debate">{{cite news|title=Nolan, Cravaack spar over economy in final debate|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/content/nolan-cravaack-spar-over-economy-final-debate|newspaper=Duluth News Tribune|date=November 1, 2012}}</ref>

Nolan voiced support for the stimulus spending championed by President Obama. He said, "It did in fact create good jobs in a whole wide range of areas, not the least of which is in the field of transportation."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Zdechlik|first1=Mark|title=Cravaack, Nolan tussle over health care, jobs in 3rd debate|url=http://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/10/16/politics/cravaack-nolan-third-eighth-district-debate|access-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|date=October 16, 2012}}</ref>

On October 1, 2013, Nolan introduced a bill that would withhold the pay of members of Congress during a government shutdown, in response to the [[2013 government shutdown|shutdown that had gone into effect that morning]]. "It's time for Congress to start living in the real world – where you either do your job, or you don't get paid," he said concerning the bill.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zara|first=Christopher|title=Government Shutdown 2013: Bill To Stop Congress From Getting Paid Introduced By Rep. Rick Nolan|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/government-shutdown-2013-bill-stop-congress-getting-paid-introduced-rep-rick-nolan-1413478|newspaper=International Business Times|date=October 1, 2013}}</ref>

====Health care====
In June 2014, Nolan and Republican [[David McKinley]] introduced the Health Care Fairness and Flexibility Act, which would delay an [[Affordable Care Act]] fee on every person covered by large self-insured employers and insurance companies. According to the ''[[Duluth News Tribune]]'', "The effort marks a rare bit of bipartisan cooperation in Washington when it comes to legislation, especially regarding the president's signature law."<ref>{{cite news|title=Nolan bill seeks to delay fee of health care act|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/content/nolan-bill-seeks-delay-fee-health-care-act|access-date=August 14, 2014|publisher=Duluth News Tribune|date=June 6, 2014}}</ref>

Nolan supported the [[Affordable Care Act]] and said he would not vote to repeal it. Nolan said, "It ensures that another 30 million people in this country would have health insurance; it provides that nobody can be denied as a result of preconditions; it provides that parents can keep their children insured up to the age of 26."<ref name="health">{{cite web|url=http://brainerddispatch.com/news/2012-10-16/cravaack-nolan-wrangle-over-health-care-debate |title=Cravaack, Nolan wrangle over health care in debate |publisher=Brainerd Dispatch |date=October 16, 2012 |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref>

Nolan was a strong supporter of single-payer health care and believed it should be the ultimate goal of the [[Affordable Care Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.minnpost.com/dc-dispatches/2014/03/nolan-mandate-vote-about-fixing-obamacare-not-political-cover |title=Nolan: Mandate vote about fixing Obamacare, not political cover |publisher=minnpost.com |date=October 3, 2014 |access-date=May 9, 2016}}</ref>

====Foreign policy====
Nolan was one of four members of Congress to vote against the 2014 Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. The bill allocated $73.3 billion to veterans programs and military construction projects, "$1.4 billion more than what Congress budgeted last year." In a statement, Nolan said, "I voted against the bill in protest, because it under-funds veterans health and benefit programs, while shoveling billions of new dollars into unnecessary new military construction in places all around the world where American presence and American resources do not belong."<ref name="veterans">{{cite web|last=Henry |first=Devin |url=http://www.minnpost.com/dc-dispatches/2013/06/nolans-protest-vote-one-four-against-va-budget-bill |title=Nolan's 'protest' vote one of four against VA budget bill |publisher=MinnPost |date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref>

In 2014, Nolan urged President Obama to resist further military intervention in both Syria and Iraq.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Minock|first1=Nick|title=Rick Nolan urges President Obama to resist military involvement in Syria|url=http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/elections/Rick-Nolan-urges-President-Obama-to-resist-military-involvement-in-Syria-273255381.html|access-date=September 11, 2014|publisher=Northland News Center|date=August 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Eichelberger|first1=Erika|title=Liberal Dems Are Split Over Obama and ISIS|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/09/obama-speech-iraq-congress-progressive|access-date=September 11, 2014|publisher=Mother Jones|date=September 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Weigel|first1=Dave|title=The ISIS-Bedwetter Watch Continues|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/09/11/the_isis_bedwetter_watch_continues.html|access-date=September 11, 2014|publisher=Slate|date=September 11, 2014}}</ref>

Nolan visited [[Cuba]] along with President Barack Obama in March 2016. It was a return trip for Nolan, who had first been to Cuba in 1977.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brodey|first1=Sam|title=Visits to Cuba will be new for many Americans, but Rep. Rick Nolan's been there|url=https://www.minnpost.com/dc-dispatches/2016/03/visits-cuba-will-be-new-many-americans-rep-rick-nolan-s-been-there|access-date=March 28, 2016|publisher=MinnPost|date=March 24, 2016}}</ref>

====Abortion====
Nolan voted against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which prohibits abortions after 20 weeks.<ref>{{cite news|title=How Richard Nolan voted on key votes|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/N000127/key-votes/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref>

====Campaign finance====
Nolan supported [[Campaign finance reform in the United States|campaign finance reform]]. In February 2013, Nolan introduced a constitutional amendment designed to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in the ''[[Citizens United v. FEC]]'' case that dealt with the regulation of campaign spending by organizations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rick Nolan, Minnesota Democrat, Unveils Constitutional Amendment To Overturn Citizens United|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/rick-nolan-citizens-united_n_2663128.html|website=Huff Post Politics|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=May 7, 2015}}</ref> In 2015, Nolan joined Democratic U.S. Representatives [[Keith Ellison]], [[Mark Pocan]], [[Matt Cartwright]], [[Jared Huffman]] and [[Raúl Grijalva]] as co-sponsors of legislation calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 ''Citizens United'' decision.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nolan introduces constitutional amendment declaring corporations are not people, money is not free speech|url=http://www.ifallsjournal.com/news/local/nolan-introduces-constitutional-amendment-declaring-corporations-are-not-people-money/article_e57ee16f-1d66-5ff3-a385-59feb7c12730.html|website=The International Falls Journal|access-date=May 7, 2015}}</ref>

===Congressional tenure===
Nolan sat on the [[United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure|Transportation and Infrastructure Committee]], and four of its Subcommittees: Highways and Transit; Aviation; Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management; and Water Resources and the Environment.<ref name="nolan.house.gov">{{cite web|url=http://nolan.house.gov/legislation/committees-and-caucuses |title=Committees and Caucuses &#124; Congressman Rick Nolan |publisher=Nolan.house.gov |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref> He also serves on the [[United States House Committee on Agriculture|House Agriculture Committee]] and two of its Subcommittees: Conservation, Energy and Forestry, and Livestock, Rural Development, and Credit.<ref name="nolan.house.gov"/>

Nolan had previously served on the [[House Small Business Committee]] and the [[United States House Committee on Agriculture|House Agriculture Committee]]; his previous appointments would have earned him some Committee Seniority on these committees that he had already served on<ref>Office of the Historian, House of Representatives. "Committees in the U.S. Congress 1947–1992", Volume 2: Committee Histories and Member Assignments, by Garrison Nelson, University of Vermont with Mary T. Mitchell, University of Michigan, Clark H. Bensen, PoliData.  Published by the Congressional Quarterly, page 665.</ref> in the [[94th United States Congress|94th]], [[95th United States Congress|95th]] and [[96th United States Congress|96th]] Congresses.<ref>Office of the Historian, House of Representatives. "Encyclopedia of the United States Congress", c. 1995, volume 4, pages 1795 & 1799</ref> Instead, Nolan will now have Committee Seniority on only the [[United States House Committee on Agriculture|House Agriculture Committee]] and be a junior member of the [[United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure|Transportation and Infrastructure Committee]].

Nolan had been quoted as saying he would like to serve on "the [[United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure|Transportation and Infrastructure]] Committee, along with the [[United States House Committee on Natural Resources|Natural Resources]] Committee, which hears legislation that directly affects the mining, forestry, agriculture and tourism-based economy of the Eighth Congressional District."<ref>{{cite web|last=Mitchell |first=Corey |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/179820911.html?refer=y |title=Rep.-elect Nolan takes a trip back to the future |publisher=Star Tribune |date=November 17, 2012 |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Mark |last=Zdechlik |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/11/11/politics/nolan-returns/ |title=Nolan embraces role as 'veteran freshman' in Congress |publisher=MPR News |date=November 12, 2012 |access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref>

Nolan and Minnesota Senator [[Amy Klobuchar]] were the original co-sponsors of legislation called the [[Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013]], a bill that would modernize small aircraft regulations and the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]]'s Part 23 certification process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/content/plan-reduce-aviation-red-tape-goes-obama|title= Plan to reduce aviation red tape goes to Obama|publisher=Duluth News Tribune |date=November 15, 2013 |access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gama.aero/media-center/press-releases/content/gama-celebrates-signing-small-airplane-revitalization-act-law|title=GAMA Celebrates Signing of Small Airplane Revitalization Act Into Law|publisher=General Aviation Manufacturers Association |date= 2013 |access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref>

Nolan endorsed [[Bernie Sanders]] in the 2016 Democratic U.S. presidential primary election.<ref>{{cite news|title=Minnesota Rep. Rick Nolan backs Bernie Sanders for president|url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/04/10/minnesota-rep-rick-nolan-backs-bernie-sanders-for-president/|access-date=May 6, 2016|agency=Forum News Service|publisher=Pioneer Press|date=April 10, 2016}}</ref>

He was a member of the [[Congressional Progressive Caucus]], the [[Climate Solutions Caucus]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Climate Solutions Caucus|url=https://citizensclimatelobby.org/climate-solutions-caucus/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Caucus Members|url=https://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=71&sectiontree=2,71|publisher=Congressional Progressive Caucus|access-date=October 25, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022024104/https://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=71&sectiontree=2,71|archive-date=October 22, 2017}}</ref> the [[Congressional Arts Caucus]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|publisher=Congressional Arts Caucus|access-date=March 21, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=August 4, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Legislation sponsored====
The following is an incomplete list of legislation that Nolan sponsored:
* [[Affordable College Textbook Act (H.R. 3840; 115th Congress)]]<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3840 |title=H.R.3840 – Affordable College Textbook Act: 115th Congress (2017–2018) |work=Congress.gov |date=September 26, 2017 |accessdate=March 14, 2019 }}</ref>

===2018 campaign for lieutenant governor===
{{see also|2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election}}
In 2018, [[Lori Swanson]] declared her candidacy for governor, and selected Nolan as her running mate.<ref>{{cite news |last=Uren |first=Adam |date=June 4, 2018 |title=DFLer Lori Swanson announces run for governor – with Rick Nolan joining her |url=https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/dfler-lori-swanson-announces-run-for-governor-with-rick-nolan-joining-her |work=Bring Me The News |location=Edina, MN}}</ref>  In the August primary, Swanson and Nolan were defeated by the ticket of [[Tim Walz]] and [[Peggy Flanagan]].<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=August 14, 2018 |title=Walz defeats Murphy, Swanson to win DFL governor primary |url=https://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/minnesota/2018/08/14/walz-defeats-murphy-swanson-win-dfl-governor-primary/994903002/ |work=St. Cloud Times |location=St. Cloud, MN}}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Nolan first married Marjorie C. Langer on June 13, 1964. They had four children. After they divorced on April 15, 1982, he then married Mary L. Wieland on May 19, 1984.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rothenberg|first1=Stuart|title=30 Years Later, Nolan Considers Comeback Bid|url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_134/30_years_later_richard_nolan_considers_comeback-206201-1.html|access-date=August 12, 2014|publisher=Roll Call|date=June 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rick Nolan (D)|url=http://projects.wsj.com/campaign2012/candidates/view/rick-nolan--MN-H|website=Wall Street Journal|access-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref> His daughter, Katherine Nolan Bensen, died on September 15, 2020, at the age of 46, after a five-year battle with [[small-cell carcinoma]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Slater |first1=Brady |title=Former Rep. Nolan's daughter succumbs to cancer at age 46 |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/government-and-politics/6662173-Former-Rep.-Nolans-daughter-succumbs-to-cancer-at-age-46 |access-date=September 17, 2020 |work=Duluth News Tribune |date=September 15, 2020}}</ref>

On October 18, 2024, it was announced that Nolan died from a heart condition at his home in [[Nisswa, Minnesota]], at the age of 80.<ref name = Karnowski/>{{efn|name = DoD}}

==Electoral history==
;2016
{{see also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 8}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/Index?ersElectionId=100&scenario=USRepresentative&districtId=563|title=State General Election 2016 – Results for U.S. Representative District 8|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rick Nolan (Incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 179,093
| percentage = 50.17
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Stewart Mills III
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 177,089
| percentage = 49.61
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Write-in
| party = 
| votes = 792
| percentage = 0.22
}}
{{Election box majority no change|
|votes = 2,004
|percentage = 0.56
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 356,974
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}

;2014
{{see also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 8}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/Index?ersElectionId=20&scenario=USRepresentative&districtId=563|title=State General Election 2014 – Results for U.S. Representative District 8|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rick Nolan (Incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 129,090
| percentage = 48.51
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Stewart Mills III
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 125,358
| percentage = 47.11
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Skip Sandman
| party = Green Party of Minnesota
| votes = 11,450
| percentage = 4.30
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Write-in
| party = 
| votes = 185
| percentage = 0.07
}}
{{Election box majority no change|
|votes = 3,732
|percentage = 1.40
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 266,083
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}

;2012
{{see also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 8}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Minnesota's 8th Congressional district election, 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/Index?ersElectionId=1&scenario=USRepresentative&districtId=563|title=State General Election 2012 – Results for U.S. Representative District 8|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
|candidate = Rick Nolan
|votes = 191,976
|percentage = 54.28
 }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party of Minnesota
|candidate = [[Chip Cravaack]] (incumbent)
|votes = 160,520
|percentage = 45.39
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
|party = 
|candidate = Write-in
|votes = 1,167
|percentage = 0.33
}}
{{Election box majority no change|
|votes = 31,456
|percentage = 8.89
}}
{{Election box total no change|
|votes = 353,663
|percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no change|
|winner = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
|loser = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

;1978
{{see also|1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 6}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 1978<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leg.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1978-11-07-g-sec.pdf|title=State General Election 1978 – Results for U.S. Representative District 6|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|page=7|access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rick Nolan (Incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 115,880
| percentage = 55.28
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Russ Bjorhus
| color = #E81B23
| party = [[Republican Party of Minnesota#Independent-Republican era|Independent-Republican]]
| votes = 93,742
| percentage = 44.72
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Write-in
| party = 
| votes = NDA
| percentage = NDA
}}
{{Election box majority no change|
|votes = 22,138
|percentage = 10.56
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 209,622
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}

;1976
{{see also|1976 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 6}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 1976<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leg.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1976-11-02-g-sec.pdf|title=State General Election 1976 – Results for U.S. Representative District 6|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|page=8|access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rick Nolan (Incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 147,507
| percentage = 59.79
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = James (Jim) Anderson
| color = #E81B23
| party = [[Republican Party of Minnesota#Independent-Republican era|Independent-Republican]]
| votes = 99,201
| percentage = 40.21
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Write-in
| party = 
| votes = NDA
| percentage = NDA
}}
{{Election box majority no change|
|votes = 48,306
|percentage = 19.58
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 246,708
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}

;1974
{{see also|1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota#District 6}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 1974<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leg.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1974-11-05-g-sec.pdf|title=State General Election 1974 – Results for U.S. Representative District 6|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|page=15|access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
|candidate = Rick Nolan
|votes = 96,465
|percentage = 55.36
 }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party of Minnesota
|candidate = [[Jon Grunseth]]
|votes = 77,797
|percentage = 44.64
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
|party = 
|candidate = Write-in
|votes = 1
|percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box majority no change|
|votes = 18,668
|percentage = 10.71
}}
{{Election box total no change|
|votes = 174,263
|percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no change|
|winner = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
|loser = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

;1972
{{see also|1972 United States House of Representatives elections#Minnesota}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Minnesota's 6th Congressional district election, 1972<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leg.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1972-11-07-g-sec.pdf|title=State General Election 1972 – Results for U.S. Representative District 6|publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State|page=11|access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party of Minnesota
|candidate = [[John M. Zwach|John Zwach]] (incumbent)
|votes = 114,537
|percentage = 51.02
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
|candidate = Rick Nolan
|votes = 109,955
|percentage = 48.98
 }}
{{Election box candidate no change
|party =
|candidate = Write-in
|votes = NDA
|percentage = NDA
}}
{{Election box majority no change|
|votes = 4,582
|percentage = 2.04
}}
{{Election box total no change|
|votes = 224,492
|percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change|
|winner = Republican Party of Minnesota
}}
{{End}}

==See also==
* [[List of United States representatives from Minnesota]]
* [[United States congressional delegations from Minnesota]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Rick Nolan}}
* {{IMDb name | 8164692}}
* {{CongLinks | congbio=N000127 | votesmart=138505 | fec=H2MN08111 | congress=richard-nolan/867 }}
* {{C-SPAN|1001760}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-par|us-hs}}
{{S-bef|before=[[John Zwach]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States Representatives from Georgia|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Minnesota's 6th congressional district]]|years=1975–1981}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Vin Weber]]}}
|-
{{S-bef|before=[[Chip Cravaack]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States Representatives from Georgia|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Minnesota's 8th congressional district]]|years=2013–2019}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Pete Stauber]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{United States representatives from Minnesota}}
{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 94th–96th & 113th–115th [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[Minnesota]]}}
{{USCongRep/MN/94}}
{{USCongRep/MN/95}}
{{USCongRep/MN/96}}
{{USCongRep/Line}}
{{USCongRep/MN/113}}
{{USCongRep/MN/114}}
{{USCongRep/MN/115}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nolan, Rick}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Minnesota Legislature]]
[[Category:21st-century Minnesota politicians]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2018 United States elections]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota]]
[[Category:People from Brainerd, Minnesota]]
[[Category:People from Nisswa, Minnesota]]
[[Category:University of Minnesota alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]