The September 29, 2015 special election primary narrowed the ballot for Minnesota House 3A to three candidates. Rob Ecklund of International Falls, one of four candidates on the Democratic-Farm-Labor ticket, successfully advanced to the December 8 special election. Ecklund now faces independent candidate Kelsey Johnson of Babbitt and Republican Roger Skraba of Ely. Mail ballots are being sent out this week, so the Cook County News-Herald is providing a brief look at the candidates.
More in-depth interviews with the candidates will follow next week.
Ecklund is a Koochiching County commissioner and in that role, is active in regional issues, including economic development, transportation, and clean water. He is currently employed at Boise Paper in International Falls. He is a member and past president of the United Steelworkers Union Local 159. Ecklund is a United States Marine Corps veteran.
Ecklund and his wife Joan have three children, Nick, Jared and Cory.
Ecklund is an avid hunter and fisherman.
Kelsey Johnson
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.
Roger Skraba
Skraba, former Ely city councilor for seven years and mayor for six, currently works as a canoe guide and carpenter. Asked for his biographical information, Skraba said he is single, born and raised in Ely. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School and then from North Dakota State University – Fargo, with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management and a minor in political science. Skraba was honorably discharged as a sergeant (E5) after nine years with the U.S. Army Reserves. His jobs were infantryman and cavalry scout. He has worked as an estimator, a canoe guide, a logger and dairy farmer. He owned his own snowmobile rental business.
He is also the trail administrator for the Tomahawk Snowmobile Trail, connecting Ely to the North Shore Trail system.
Skraba enjoys hunting and fishing with his Boykin spaniel, Pippa.
The News-Herald asked: Why are you running?
. Ecklund: My decision to run for 3A State Representative has been a long time in the making. I knew and respected the late Representative Dill, and talked with him often. It is a great honor to have received his family’s endorsement in this race. I am committed to bringing equal passion and effort to my work for our region.
A seasoned leader, I have been a Koochiching County commissioner for the past five years, and have worked on many public policy issues that will continue to impact the residents of 3A.
I have spent many years working on legislative issues on both state and national levels. As past national chairman of the Pulp and Paperworkers Council, I have worked with federal and state delegations on environmental issues that impact our forest products industry. I was national chairman of this group for two years, and a member for 16 years.
I am a member of the Human Services Performance Council, appointed by the director of the Association of Minnesota Counties. This legislative advisory group is tasked with streamlining human services reporting standards, and helping county human services groups design proper reporting plans when they are deficient in some areas.
I am tuned in to the issues important throughout District 3A, whether they be economic, social, or environmental. I am a good listener and pride myself on having an open mind.
I have always been active in my community, coaching youth sports, sitting on various boards, and as a leader in my local union. I believe when the voters take a look at my lifelong work for this area, they will see my commitment and experience, and choose me as their next District 3A Representative. . Johnson: All my life I’ve wanted to be an effective legislator. For the last 12 years of my professional career I’ve built the skills to do just that.
In my educational endeavors, I worked to become an ethical and marketable leader. I majored in applied ethics and sales. After earning my undergraduate degree, I worked in sales throughout the northeastern part of the state. The influence of the state legislature on the businesses and families was baffling to me. My curiosity led me to pursue a career in politics while earning a master’s degree, with a focus on ethics and leadership.
Working the last six years in the Capitol, I’ve learned how the system works, and what it takes to be an effective legislator. I can use the skills I’ve learned and the relationships I’ve built there to improve the lives and the economy for the people of District 3A without compromising the natural environment we love so much.
This district belongs to its people. It does not belong to a party. I’ve watched in horror as Minnesota politics has become less about the people it was supposed to protect and more about political bickering. We, here in rural District 3A have become the forgotten and have been left behind. Running as an independent frees me to better represent my constituents, with no allegiance owed to party leadership. We know our needs better than any party organization centered in the Twin Cities.
What we most need now is strong, independent leadership. I am that leader. I will fight every day for you and your family’s needs. . Skraba: I am running because I am the best person to represent Northeastern Minnesota in the legislature. My many years of elected experience, working various jobs and volunteering gives me a well-rounded personality to represent all the interests of this district.
I also believe that Representative Dill was a very conservative person like myself and that is what the people of District 3A have come to expect and I will deliver.
I enjoy meeting new people who work their tails off to survive in some of the most beautiful land in the world and never forget that our lives are gifts and that we should give back as much as we receive.
When elected I will be able to represent Northeastern Minnesota in the legislature with the party that controls the House of Representatives which means a place at the table and a better chance to support our bonding projects and any other legislative action that needs to be done. I offer more diversity.
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