Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Koochiching County Commissioner Rob Ecklund has won a special DFL primary election in the race to replace former State Rep. David Dill, who died of cancer last month. 

Ecklund won nearly 44 percent of the vote in the four-way House District 3A primary in northeast Minnesota. He will move on to the general election in December.

The massive district spans nearly two-thirds of the state's border with Canada, from Grand Portage to west of International Falls. 

Race for northern Minnesota House seat defies convention

The key issue in the election was copper nickel mining. Second-place finisher Bill Hansen, of Tofte, lost by about six percentage points. He was the only candidate critical of PolyMet and other proposed precious metals mines in northeast Minnesota. 

Ecklund benefited from several union endorsements in the heavily DFL district. In a statement, Hansen said Ecklund had his "full support and endorsement." 

Ely City Council member Heidi Omerza and International Falls businessman Eric Johnson each received nearly ten percent of the primary vote. 

Ecklund will face Republican former Ely Mayor Roger Skraba and independent Kelsey Johnson in the December general election.

Skraba said in a statement he looks forward to contrasting his views with "Ecklund's vision of bigger government, higher taxes and support of the Minneapolis-based leaders in the DFL."

Politics and Government News

Minnesota News

Greater Minnesota

Dan Kraker

Author

Ecklund won nearly 44 percent of the vote in the four-way House District 3A primary. He will move on to the general election in December.

Ecklund wins special DFL primary to replace Dill

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox