Race for Minnesota House District 3A centers on wildfire relief, mining, affordability

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - With Election Day just over a week away, the race for Minnesota House District 3A — the state’s largest House district by land area — could help decide control of the Capitol.

The district covers all of Cook and Koochiching counties, northern St. Louis County, and parts of Lake and Itasca counties, stretching from Grand Marais to International Falls.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Roger Skraba of Ely is seeking a third term against DFL challenger Aaron Kania of Lake Vermilion, a retired U.S. Forest Service Kawishiwi District Ranger.

Wildfires front and center

After a summer of wildfires that burned more than 64,000 acres, drew more than 1,000 personnel, shut down new trips in the Boundary Waters, and cost Ely and Grand Marais an estimated $9 million, relief and forest management are front and center.

Kania, who has 29 years as a wildland firefighter and managed the 2021 Greenwood Fire, the 2025 Brimson Complex and 2024 flood response in Cook, MN, says his background makes him proactive.

“I’ve seen tragedy throughout the country and catastrophe, and I don’t want my community to suffer that,” said Kania.

He calls the $9 million estimate “the tip of the iceberg,” arguing the state must better manage forests, so the next wildfire doesn’t become an economic catastrophe.

Skraba, who touts bipartisan relief work after Gov. Tim Walz’s Ely briefing this summer, questions why the state is being asked to pay for damage on federal land and why the entire BWCA was closed. He says voters are focused elsewhere.

“If that’s our biggest issue, we’re in trouble, you know, the fraud should be defining. That’s where the real money is,” said Skraba.

Fraud vs. affordability

Skraba says voters tell him fraud is their top concern, and he vows to keep pushing a crackdown. He helped back the bill creating the Office of Inspector General, and says Republicans have tried to stop fraud since he took office. He also points to DFL-trifecta unfunded mandates driving property taxes.

Kania says at the doors, it’s affordability, divisiveness and health care — clinic closures, prescription drug prices, taxes — plus mining.

Mining divide

On copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters, Kania points to his time with the U.S. Forest Service, where he helped permit Twin Metals, as proof mining can be done with environmental protections.

“I’m hearing on the doors over and over and over again is we must protect our water, and then in almost that very same breath they say, but we need jobs,” said Kania.

Skraba says it’s time to stop stalling, pointing to Michigan’s Eagle Mine — 12 years, 144 inspections without a failure — as proof it can be done safely.

“Natural resource extraction is the reason we exist. I openly support mining. We need mining, period. Without it, I don’t know where we go,” said Skraba.

Closing pitch

Skraba points to his margins — 15 votes in his first race, 3,600 in his second — as proof voters trust him in office.

“So obviously people understood what I was doing, what I stand for, who I am,” said Skraba.

But Kania says voters are frustrated and ready for change.

“People are really frustrated, really tired. They’re ready for change. They’re ready for somebody who’s ready, has a plan and can bring that plan to fruition,” said Kania.

The Minnesota House is currently tied 67-67 after a Republican resignation in June, meaning 3A could help decide the majority for the 2027 session.

Early voting is underway ahead of Election Day, November 3rd.

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