by Tom Coombe
As voters weigh their choices in a pair of highly-contested races for state office, they have the chance this week to hear from the contenders - in-person.
A candidates forum is slated for Wednesday night, starting at 7 p.m., in the theater on the Vermilion campus of Minnesota North College.
The event brings together State Sen. Grant Hauschild (D-Hermantown) and his Republican opponent - Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich.
Also on stage will be incumbent State Rep. Roger Skraba (R-Ely) and DFL challenger Aaron Kania.
The public is invited to attend Wednesday, and plans call for Hauschild and Zupancich to be on stage for the first 45 minutes, followed by Skraba and Kania.
Earlier, the public was invited to submit questions for the event, which will be hosted by the Ely branch of the American Association of University Women.
The forum comes in advance of the Nov. 3 general election and with early voting slated to begin later in the month.
Hauschild and Zupancich are squaring off for a four-year term in the evenly-divided State Senate.
It’s a rematch of a 2022 clash, which Hauschild won by about 1,000 votes.
Skraba, meanwhile, is seeking a third term in the Minnesota House.
He won the seat from Democrat Rob Ecklund in a tight 2022 race and scored a comfortable re-election win two years later.
Skraba is being challenged by Kania, a retired U.S. Forest Service District Ranger.
Wednesday’s event is the first of three candidates forums scheduled to be held in Ely - all at Vermilion.
The forum will be taped for future viewing on Ely’s public access cable television channel 98, as well as on YouTube.
Candidates for Ely city offices are invited to an event at Vermilion on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 7 to 9 pm.
The first 45 minutes will involve the two candidates for mayor: incumbent Heidi Omerza and Emily Roose.
Then those running for council (Abby Dare, Angela Campbell, Al Forsman, Lacey Squier, Mark Zupec and Josh Brang) will have the remaining time to respond to questions.
The forum for school board candidates Jen Westlund, Derekah Kingery, Steve Hornstein, Baily Belehar, Joe Weise, and John Kannas will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
