With partisan tensions and divides on the rise, local Northland legislators Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) and Representative Roger Skraba (R-Ely) are modeling a different approach.
On Tuesday, they participated in the ‘Dine Across the Aisle’ program at Sweeney’s Saloon in St. Paul, which provides a free meal to legislators who agree to have dinner with someone from the opposite party.
“With such a closely divided legislature, we know that the only way to get things done is to build relationships across the aisle, find common ground, and work together,” said Hauschild. “While many legislators see each other as opponents, I’m proud to call Roger a friend and to work closely with him on the issues facing our community. While we may disagree on a fair amount, we respect each other and know that we both care deeply about advancing the best interests of Northern Minnesota.” While this may be a first for other legislators, Hauschild and Skraba meet regularly to advocate for their communities.
Since beginning to service together first in the 2023 Legislative Session, Hauschild and Skraba have collaborated on a number of issues for Senate District 3, participated in joint visits to local communities, hosted bipartisan roundtables and townhalls, and built a strong working relationship.
“Up here, we don’t have the luxury of playing political games,” said Skraba. “People expect us to show up, work together, and deliver real results. Grant and I don’t agree on everything, but we’ve built a strong working relationship because we both put the Northland first. That’s how you get things done, and that’s what our communities deserve.”
With a tied House of Representatives and only a one seat majority in the Senate, this type of bipartisan partnership strengthens their ability to advance priorities for Northern Minnesota.
