Voters choose Democratic replacement for late Rep. Dill

Rob Ecklund
Rob Ecklund
Dan Kraker | MPR News

Updated 11:55 a.m. | Posted 12:21 a.m.

Voters in northeastern Minnesota have chosen a Koochiching County commissioner to replace the late state Rep. David Dill.

Unofficial results from the Minnesota Secretary of State's website show DFL candidate Rob Ecklund won nearly 64 percent of the vote in Tuesday's special election.

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Ecklund emerged from a four-way primary in September for the seat, which covers Koochiching, Lake and northern St. Louis counties.

He faced Republican Roger Skraba, who got about 19 percent of the votes, and independent Kelsey Johnson, who had about 16 percent.

Ecklund says his priorities are to fight for bonding projects in House District 3A. He also says he'll push to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off mine workers on the Iron Range.

"I think voters saw that I really do want to give back, and I think that's a true meaning of a public servant," Ecklund said.

Dill died in August while serving his 7th term.

MPR News reporter Dan Kraker contributed to this report.