Skraba’s victory over Ecklund for 3A seat holds as recount concludes

Roger Skraba, a Republican mayor from Ely, will represent all of northeastern Minnesota when the 2023 legislative session begins in St. Paul.

Skraba won the 3A seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives by 15 votes following the Nov. 8 election over incumbent Rob Ecklund. The narrow margin of victory led to a publicly-funded recount. Taking place across the massive district in northern Minnesota this week, including Monday in Cook County, the results of the recount show Skraba indeed won the election. The recount ended Wednesday afternoon. The unofficial results essentially matched those of the general election. Only a handful of ballots were challenged across the district, not enough to change the results. The state canvassing board will certify the results Dec. 15.

Ecklund, meanwhile, conceded the race Wednesday afternoon.

He issued the following public statement shortly after calling Skraba to concede the race.

“Fighting for new jobs and economic opportunities, great schools, game, fish, and habitat, and the way of life we hold dear in northern Minnesota has been an honor of a lifetime,” Ecklund said. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to make historic investments in broadband access, deliver for our courageous military veterans, support workers on the job and help them and their families achieve economic security, fund parks and trails, and so much more.”

Ecklund said that, “While I wish it turned out differently, the result of this recount doesn’t change my view that Minnesota’s elections system is the envy of the nation. We’re blessed to have free and fair elections in Minnesota, and recounts are one part of the process affirming the confidence and trust in the system. Thank you to the county election workers for their professionalism and dedication.”

Speaker Melissa Hortman sent WTIP the following statement about Rep. Rob Ecklund today after the conclusion of a recount in the election for state representative in district 3A.

“The people and communities of Northern Minnesota have always been able to count on Rob Ecklund to have their back,” she said. “Rob has poured his heart and soul into working on behalf of his constituents, and he is extremely effective at delivering for his district. He earned the most votes of any DFL candidate in his district, and that’s a testament to the service he’s provided to Northern Minnesota during his career in the Minnesota House of Representatives. There’s no doubt in my mind that Rob will continue to serve the public. I am excited to see what he does next and I will deeply cherish the time we spent working together in the Minnesota House to improve people’s lives.”

Despite Skraba’s victory, Democrats will control the House when the 2023 session begins. The DFL party also controls the Senate. Governor Tim Walz was also reelected, meaning the Democrats control the various branches of government in Minnesota when the new year begins.

Joe Friedrichs December 8, 2022