There are now six candidates in the race for the Minnesota House 3A seat made vacant by the passing of Representative David Dill—four running as Democratic-Farm- Labor candidates, one as a Republican and one Independent candidate. Although the Republican and Independent candidate move ahead to the general election without contest, the September 29 primary will determine which DFL candidate will face them in the special election on December 8, 2015. The DFL candidates are Rob Ecklund of International Falls, Bill Hansen of Tofte, Eric Johnson of International Falls and Heidi Omerza of Ely. Roger Skraba of Ely is running as a GOP candidate and Kelsey Johnson is running without affiliation with a political party as an Independent candidate.
Skraba enters race as GOP
The latest person to announce his candidacy is former Ely mayor Roger Skraba, who is the only Republican candidate.
Prior to his mayoral election, Skraba served on the Ely City Council. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School and went on to college at North Dakota State University, earning a bachelor of science degree in construction management and a minor in political science.
Skraba is a veteran, serving in the Army National Guard and then the U.S. Army Reserves. He is also a Quetico Park Wilderness guide.
Announcing his entry into the race, Skraba said, “Our community is strong and we need a trusted voice who shares our values at the Capitol. As a small business owner and former public servant for our area, I’ve proven I can listen and lead.
“I’ve been involved in the DFL party for years, but like many Minnesotans, I’ve become frustrated recently as Twin Cities liberals push their radical ideas on our way of life. If elected, I will support common-sense policies that grow our community so our children and grandchildren can thrive here,” said Skraba.
Independent candidate bucks two-party system
Kelsey Johnson of Babbitt has filed a petition to run as an independent candidate for the House seat.
To file as an independent in Minnesota, a candidate needs to collect 500 valid signatures of support on a nominating petition of candidacy. Johnson has collected more than 600 signatures earning a spot on the ballot. In her announcement, Johnson explained that she believes the two-party system has been ineffective and neither party has represented the Northeastern region well. “It’s clear to me that in order to protect our outdoor recreation, preserve our way of life, and increase jobs we have to loosen the two-party grip on St. Paul.”
She added, “Representative David Dill was a personal friend and mentor to me. He leaves a legacy that is neither Democratic nor Republican, but as a statesman for Northeastern Minnesota. He was an exception to the rules in politics.”
Johnson stated that without the influence of big money or support from Twin Cities’ politicians, she will be able to develop a platform of her own, specifically for District 3A.
Johnson, who earned her master’s degree from St. Catherine University, works as director of state affairs for the Grocery Manufacturers Association and has served a variety of other advocacy roles at the State Capitol. She describes herself as an avid outdoors woman, enjoying fishing, boating, swimming, trap shooting, waterskiing, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, downhill and cross country skiing.
Full field of DFLers
As the News-Herald reported previously, Rob Ecklund of International Falls and Bill Hansen of Tofte announced that they were running for the House 3A seat shortly after the election filing period opened.
Rob Ecklund hit the ground running with his campaign, visiting Cook County on August 26. A Koochiching county commissioner, Ecklund said he is involved in issues such as economic development, transportation, and clean water. He is a member and past president of the United Steelworkers Union Local 159 and is employed at Boise Paper in International Falls.
A United States Marine Corps veteran, Ecklund stressed the value of voting and participating in our democracy. “Many men and women have served our country so we can have the best government possible. I encourage everyone to vote in this special election,” he said.
Ecklund added, “My goal, if elected, will be to protect our jobs, values, and the outdoor opportunities we cherish from the shores of Lake Superior to the Rainy River. My life experiences of being a veteran, husband, father, county commissioner, mill worker and an avid hunter and fisherman have shaped who I am as a public servant. I have spent considerable time at the state capital and in Washington, DC over the past several years testifying and promoting legislation that protects and enhances our Northern Minnesota quality of life. This is a big and diverse district, and I think I have the passion, energy, and openness to serve the people responsibly and effectively.”
Bill Hansen, is the most well-known candidate to the North Shore. The owner of Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, WTIP community radio columnist, former Tofte township treasurer and 2015 Tofte Citizen of the Year won the Cook County vote in the previous election.
Hansen noted that for the last 20 years he has been involved in economic development, as chair of the Northland Foundation, chair of the Entrepreneur Fund, board member of Cook County Higher Education, vice-chair of the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, treasurer of Tofte Township and board member of Visit Cook County, among many other public commitments.
In his initial announcement, Hansen said, “These are the values I believe are shared by the voters of District 3A: A strong and diverse economy through education excellence, community development, appropriate technology and a culture of entrepreneurship – leveling the playing field to reverse growing income inequality; progressive and fair taxation, with no unfunded mandates that raise your property taxes; high quality, affordable health care for all; enforcement and protection of Minnesota’s existing environmental laws. Hansen, who was the DFL endorsed candidate in 2002 and 2004 said, “I will seek the DFL Party endorsement and will abide by the decision of the endorsing convention.”
Heidi Omerza filed a few days before the deadline, becoming the second Ely citizen to join the race. She too began a tour of the region, visiting Cook County on August 28.
Omerza is in her third term as an Ely city councilor, and has been the top vote getter in each of the three general elections. In addition, she serves Greater Minnesota on the League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors, is past president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and is the secretary for the Greater Minnesota Partnership. She is also president of the Ely Economic Development Authority (EDA), serves on the Park and Recreation board, library board and is on the city board for employee relations.
“I also volunteer for Incredible Ely, the PTO, the Hoop Club, the Ely Baseball Association, Touchdown Club and the Track Club,” Omerza told the News- Herald on her visit.
As a pastor’s daughter Omerza grew up in different places around the state, and she feels that has given her a unique perspective on the state. As a child she lived in Blue Earth, Pine City and Mahtomedi. She attended Hamline and majored in psychology and elementary education.
She is married to Tom Omerza, who is president of the Ely Frandsen Bank and Trust. They moved to Ely in 2002 when it was time for Elliot, their oldest son, to start school. This fall Elliot is attending North Dakota State University where he is a freshman studying engineering. Their other children Evan, Eric and Elizabeth all attend Ely public school.
She discussed education, affordable workforce housing, economic development and more with the News-Herald and said, “I will work hard for the people in my district. I’m a good communicator and I am honest. Northern Minnesota deserves a candidate focused on making our future bright and I am dedicated to that purpose. We lost a great public servant in Representative Dave Dill. I am saddened by the loss and hope to continue to represent our area with his class and passion.”
Another International Falls candidate, Eric Johnson, became familiar to North Shore residents last year as the GOP candidate challenging David Dill. When he filed, Johnson recalled that race and said, “Not only did Northeastern Minnesota lose a great public servant in Representative Dill but so did the entire state. Although it will be difficult to find someone capable enough to fill his shoes, District 3A needs a representative that has the same dedication, energy, bipartisanship, and openness to ideas that the late Representative Dill possessed.”
Johnson owns and operates a successful dental manufacturing business in International Falls and was also the founder of Voyageurs Outfitters Inc., an outfitting businesses catering to the visitors of Voyageurs National Park. Johnson said, “I believe that my experience in business will be a great asset in St. Paul and across the district. Business owners are natural problem solvers. Problems are inevitable, when they arise they must be solved or you will be out of business, so I guess problem solving is just in my DNA. “The long term economic viability of our region is my number one concern. I have legislation that I will propose once elected that will help to ensure long-term economic growth across our region,” he said.
As an avid fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman, I feel a strong connection to the land and our way of life in Northern Minnesota. It would be a great honor to serve the people of 3A and bring my energy, experience, fortitude, and bipartisan attitude to St. Paul and carry on the work of the late Representative Dill.”
Election forums ahead
The Cook County Chamber of Commerce is hosting an election forum with candidates in the contested DFL race at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts from 7 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16. Join host Jim Boyd, executive director of the Chamber and Jay Andersen of WTIP and News-Herald editor Rhonda Silence to hear directly from candidates.
Attend the forum or submit your questions to the candidates in advance to starnews@boreal.org.
After the primary, more information will be in the Cook County News-Herald for all three of the candidates who will be on the ballot for the December 8, 2015 election.
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