Polls will be open on Tuesday for the special election in Minnesota House District 3A. The election was called to fill the seat left vacant by David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, a legendary strategist for the Range and Northeast Minnesota delegation.
Given the district's strong DFL leanings, it's likely that International Falls labor leader and Koochiching County commissioner Rob Ecklund will keep the seat in the DFL column. Ecklund has garnered the most endorsements and the most money, although independent candidate Kelsey Johnson, of rural St. Louis County, has raised a bit of cash herself. Roger Skraba, the Republican in the race, lags behind both.
The money chase
Rob Ecklund
As we've noted, Ecklund leads in fundraising, having raised $36,221.87 since filing his pre-primary report, for a total of $51,372.87 as of November 24, 2015. The campaign had spent all but the $9,169.37 cash on hand.
Most of Ecklund's new money came for local county party units, the state subsidy, and PAC contributions, with no large individual contributions having been made since the day of the primary.
Here's his pre-general election report, followed by his pre-primary report for comparison:
17871 Ecklund Pre -General Filing MN03A
Here's the pre-primary filing:
Kelsey Johnson
Johnson had raised $3340 by the third week of September when she filed her pre-primary report; since then, she's bumped that figure up to $19,910, raising $16,570 and stowing $4897 and change in the bank. Much of Johnson's money comes from the Twin Cities, a testament to her many years of working as a lobbyist at the state capitol.
Since she is running as an independent, she hasn't collected money from party units or a state campaign subsidy, and her only sizable PAC contribution is from Women Winning, a committee that promotes the candidacies of pro-choice women seeking office.
Here's her pre-general election filing:
17875 Kelsey Johnson Pre General
Roger Skraba
As the Republican in this race, former Ely Mayor Roger Skraba--who has also sought the office under the DFL and Independence Party endorsement--hasn't been an aggressive fundraiser, collecting only $2075 in individual contributions and an additional $3503.29 in state subsidy.
He's been relatively parsimonious in spending as well, shelling out $1879.65 so far.
Here's Skraba's filing:
Skraba's pre-general election report
Endorsements
Ecklund has gathered the lion's share of newspaper and labor endorsements. The latter isn't surprising given his union background, nor are the editorial board nods, given his life-long, on-the-ground involvement in his community.
Not surprisingly, the Mesabi Daily News posted We endorse: Ecklund for 3A:
We find Ecklund and Johnson to clearly be the two strongest candidates who would well represent the people of 3A, and would carry on the fine legacy of David Dill.
We give the nod to Ecklund because we believe he has the experience and qualifications in both the public and private sectors to best hit the ground running in St. Paul and to be an effective lawmaker for the area from Day 1 of the 2016 legislative session.
Ecklund has more than earned our endorsement in Tuesday’s election
The Duluth News-Tribune concurred in Our view / endorsement: Ecklund is best-prepped to represent 3A.
Recent media coverage
Northland News reports in Minn. House Dist. 3A Candidates have similar views when it comes to mining that they're all for it. Cook County News Herald's Rhonda Silence asks More questions for candidates in House 3A race.
The International Falls Journal does a bit of question-and-answer with all three candidates in House 3A candidates gear up for Dec. 8, while the Timberjay reports Voters head to polls Tuesday. The Timberjay's Tom Klein takes a swipe at Johnson at the end of the latter:
Although Johnson claims to be a lifelong resident of St. Louis County, her lobbyist disclosure form filed in June with the state’s Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board lists an apartment near Loring Park in Minneapolis as her residence.
It's not like she's running for Congress, where candidates only have to live in the states where they're seeking office, just not the district itself (ask Jason Lewis and Mary Lawrence in Minnesota Second). Under Minnesota law, state legislative candidates have to live in the districts they hope to represent in St. Paul.
Photo: The candidates at a voters forum at Vermilion Community College in Ely last week. Photo by K. Vandervort via the Tower Timberjay.
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