Roger Skraba

Roger Skraba was born in Ely, Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1986 to 1994. Skraba earned a high school diploma from Ely Memorial High School and a bachelor's degree from North Dakota State University in 1985. His career experience includes working as a business owner and public board chairman.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Graduated from Ely Memorial High School. Graduated from North Dakota State University. Graduated from US Army One Station Unit Training Fort Knox, KY. Honorably Discharged.

Elected to three terms as Ely City Councilmember. Elected four times as Ely Mayor.

Appointed to St. Louis County Planning Commission, 12 years, chairperson for 9 years.

Worked for Cold Spring Granite Company after college for one and a half years, the real world was not ready for me so I moved back to Ely and worked as a wilderness canoe fishing guide during open water season and worked for loggers during winter. Started a retail store in Ely in 1997 and closed it down after the recession in 2008. I guided and did carpentry till elected in 2022. I know how hard it is to make a living in northern Minnesota. I want to help those who want to stay and make a living in northern Minnesota.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

We all need to work together to make housing our top priority. Together we can invest public money and help reduce bureaucratic roadblocks to build more diverse housing the District so badly needs.Rural healthcare needs, from Critical Care Nursing Homes to Ambulance reimbursements, needs our utmost attention. These issues are not as pressing in the Metro so it will take us rural elected officials to work with Metro legislators to bring much needed reform. I have worked with them on other issues and look forward to work with them again, after the election. This will involve expanding broadband so rural areas will not lose hospital care.We are sitting on one of the largest geologic find's in the world. When we start extracting these minerals Minnesota will benefit greatly and the District will benefit even more. Economic development and managing the environmental impact of this extraction will provide hundreds if not thousands of jobs for local communities. We can have both Mining and Clean Water, the technology is there, we just have to apply it.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Mental health and the environment. I will advocate for better and improved access to mental health programs. Some may need to be changed or modified, and I would like to be a voice in that discussion.

The district I represent has the absolute best tourism in the State. It also has the best and most natural resource abundance in the State. I want to be part of the discussion how we can and should have both.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and humility.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am honest to a fault.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Being true to what you campaigned on. Tell the truth, live the truth and you don't have to think about what you said. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it is still the truth.

At the same time if your beliefs change because you are better informed that's ok. Just tell the voters why you are changing position's. Sometimes what's best for the district isn't how we got elected, then you hope the people understand why you voted the way you did.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Worked as a dock boy (dock engineer) for two summers when I was 14 and 15. I stayed at the resort so I left home after school was let out and returned home after Labor Day.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Not the one we have now.

If there was divided government then both sides would have to work together to solve the problem. We don't have that now.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Natural Resource extraction that would create thousands of jobs and boost the states economy from royalties and taxes.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

For some people it doesn't matter but for most it helps to have working knowledge of how government works.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely.

That is how good government runs. Trust is earned, not given.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Congressman Jim Oberstar did a good job representing northern Minnesota. He was a pro life, pro gun and pro union Democrat.

I am a pro life, pro gun and pro union Republican.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Too many to recall...

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

It must grant the use and also oversee the use as it is being used.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Depends on what is needed at that moment. Last session was the extension of unemployment benefits for Northshore miners.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Teamsters, 49's, Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Union, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Nation Federation of Independent Businesses, Iron Range Building and Construction Trades Council.

What committees interest you?

Capital Investment, Natural Resources and Environment, Legacy and Taxes.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Any time you spend public money it should be able to be audited by an independent auditor. As Mayor we got audited every year. If there were any discrepancies they would be found and the appropriate actions would be done.

Currently the State is setting a very poor example of financial transparency. Any agency that cannot account for it's use of public money needs to be held accountable till the discrepancy is taken care of.

isn't that the job of the legislature?

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