Former Minnesota Congressman, North Dakota Native Martin Sabo Dies

Former Minnesota congressman Martin Sabo has died. He was 78.

Sabo’s daughter says he died this morning at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

She says her father, a longtime smoker who was on oxygen, was having trouble breathing and was admitted a week ago.

The North Dakota native served 18 years in the Minnesota Legislature, where he rose to House minority leader, then speaker.

Sabo then served 28 years in the U.S. House.

The Minneapolis Democrat announced his retirement in 2006 and was succeeded by Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the House.