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Postponed amid storm warnings; third candidate gathers signatures to be on ballot
The threat of severe weather forced the postponement of the first debate between State Rep. Roger Skraba (R) of Ely and his DFL challenger.
A candidates’ forum featuring Skraba and International Falls Mayor Harley Droba was postponed on Wednesday, amid threats of severe thunderstorms and potentially damaging winds in the area.
The event was scheduled to take place in Silver Bay. and was to be hosted by the Lake County Press.
No makeup date had been set as of Thursday’s Echo Deadline.
Skraba, who is seeking a second term in office, won’t face primary opposition nor will Droba, the International Falls mayor who is trying to unseat him.
Also this week, it emerged that a third candidate will be on the ballot.
Independent candidate Rich Tru of Two Harbors has gathered enough signatures to be on the ballot.
According to election filings posted on the Minnesota Secretary of State website, Tru is listed as a candidate of the “Forward Party Independent” party.
The insertion of a third candidate into the race could loom large, particularly if the House District 3A race is as close as it was in 2022, when Skraba unseated DFL incumbent State Rep. Rob Ecklund by a mere 15 votes.
