The Timber Jay reports on a debate between third-term Rep. Rob Ecklund, DFL- International Falls, and his challenger, Thomas Manninen in District O3A, including a strong mention of Ecklund’s work in broadband…

Ecklund, as he has done throughout his tenure in the Legislature, emphasized the importance of expanding broadband connectivity to rural parts of the state. “I believe that providing broadband is the true new economy of the north,” he said. “Every city in the state has an empty industrial park. We’re all fighting to get industry here, but if we bring true border-to-border broadband to every house in the district, just like rural electricity was in the 1950s, that’s where we’ll see the boom in jobs.”
Ecklund said that people are looking for alternatives to life in urban areas and that northern Minnesota is looking increasingly attractive, provided there is broadband capability.

The Pioneer Press outlines Senate District 41 candidates. Senator Mary Kunesh-Podein mentioned a priority on broadband…

What would your top priorities be if elected? Getting the economy working again for all of MN is a top priority, knowing that a robust public health system is critical to our economic health. We must rebuild education and healthcare systems and ensure Infrastructure development – roadways and transportation systems; broadband access, especially to support distance learning and tele-medicine.

The Duluth News Tribune published a letter to the editor from Representative Rob Ecklund, incumbent candidate running against Republican Thomas Manninen in Minnesota House District 3A. He mentions broadband as tool to attract and retain residents and businesses…

Beyond our immediate difficulties we’re facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must take a longer-term vision to strengthen our rural economy. A lack of high-speed broadband access remains a barrier to attracting, growing, and maintaining businesses. Without internet access, it’s nearly impossible to bring products to a global marketplace. Additionally, large employers are looking to telecommuting options for their employees, and without broadband, our region can’t be home to these workers. I’m proud to have championed legislation investing $40 million in our state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program. While this is a significant investment, large gaps in reliable internet coverage remain throughout our region. Many of our students struggled to complete schoolwork prior to COVID-19, and since its emergence, distance learning has exacerbated these difficulties even further. It’s 2020, and high-speed internet can no longer be seen as just a luxury for businesses, students, and families. Rather, it’s time we treat it as the necessity it is.

Bemidji Pioneer reports…

In the House race, incumbent Rep. John Persell, DFL-Bemidji, debated GOP candidate Matt Bliss, and in the state senate race, incumbent District 5 Sen. Justin Eichorn debated DFL candidate and current Bemidji Mayor Rita Albrecht.

The paper reported on both debates. It looks like broadband came up with John Persell (DFL), Matt Bliss (R)…

Both candidates expressed the need for a bonding bill. They also discussed potential ways to support educators and invest in broadband for distance learning.

It wasn’t mentioned in connection with the other two.

Duluth News Tribune endorses Bergstrom for state Senate (District 7)…

Duluth voters have a rare opportunity in the Nov. 3 election: By casting ballots for Donna Bergstrom, a member of the Red Lake Nation, they can elect the first American Indian woman in the Minnesota state Senate.

Broadband is one reason…

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need for strong leadership and effective fighters, particularly for regions outside of the Twin Cities. Look no further than the push for better internet access as proof. The state has set a goal to bring broadband to all homes by 2026. The Twin Cities area is already at 98% of that mark while the rest of the state is at 76%, Bergstrom pointed out at the candidate forum.

Sarah Kruger is running for state Senate to represent the people of Fillmore, Houston, and Winona counties (MN Senate District 28 ). She sent a letter to the Caledonia Argus outlining her issues, including broadband…

Together, we must work to assure Southeast Minnesota thrives. For this to happen, everyone needs access to affordable health care, adequately funded public education, and a diverse economy strengthened by broadband expansion.

Patch reports…

Rep. Collin C. Peterson, a Detroit Lakes resident, is running for U.S. House of Representatives District 7.

They ask a number of questions; broadband came up…

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
Reliable broadband is a utility, and the COVID-19 crisis has put a spotlight on just how integral it is for telehealth, distance learning and working from home. It’s unacceptable that rural communities have limited, unreliable or worse yet no broadband access. In response to these inequities I have introduced the Universal Broadband Act that secures adequate funding to support the construction of broadband infrastructure in rural and underserved areas without having to increase the national debt.

Duluth News Tribune endorses Rob Ecklund for Minnesota House District 3A. His support/leadership with broadband is a factor…

He has been a consistent supporter of industry, including copper-nickel mining, and a champion for broadband, Minnesota veterans, education, ATV trail building, and more.

And…

Last year, with Ecklund leading the way, the Legislature put $40 million into border-to-border broadband, one of the largest investments in internet access in state history. And just in time, with COVID-19 forcing Minnesotans to work or go to school from home like never before. Reliable internet is a must, much like electricity and telephone service were a century ago. “We found out it wasn’t nearly enough,” Ecklund said of the allocation. “The first year (there were) $20 million (available), and there were $79 million worth of requests for projects. So we know there’s more work to do.”

WCCO reports on Angie Craig, (Democratic candidate for the 2nd District) answers to a number of questions including one on broadband…

We reached out to all Minnesota candidates running for U.S Senate and U.S Congress this fall. Candidates were asked to provide a two-minute video discussing their platform as well as answer a set of our viewers’ questions.

Question on broadband…

Do you believe the government should subsidize broadband internet access for rural areas? Should public school districts reimburse families for the cost of distance learning?

As a member of the House Task Force on Rural Broadband, I am fully committed to the goal of bringing high-speed internet to every American by 2025. I understand that, in a 21st century economy, expanding rural broadband access will expand economic opportunity for thousands of hardworking Minnesotans. And in the wake of COVID-19, the need to expand access to high-speed broadband in rural America has never been more urgent.

In Congress, I helped introduce the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, which would invest $100 billion to build high-speed broadband infrastructure in communities across the country that have been underserved for decades. I also cosponsored the Accelerating Broadband Development by Empowering Local Communities Act of 2019 to roll back regulations that limit local governments’ abilities to enact their own solutions for deploying 5G broadband technology in their communities. I am fighting to ensure that, with quick and reliable broadband access, even the smallest towns and communities can compete with the rest of the world.

WCCO reports on Jim Hagedorn, (Republican candidate for the 1st District) answers to a number of questions including one on broadband…

We reached out to all Minnesota candidates running for U.S Senate and U.S Congress this fall. Candidates were asked to provide a two-minute video discussing their platform as well as answer a set of our viewers’ questions.

Question on broadband…

Do you believe the government should subsidize broadband internet access for rural areas? Should public school districts reimburse families for the cost of distance learning?

I understand how rural communications infrastructure is critically important to southern Minnesotans, our economy and way of life, and reliable rural broadband helps our small businesses and farmers. I support making broadband internet accessible for rural areas.

WCCO reports on Quinn Nystrom, (Democratic candidate for the 8th District) answers  to a number of questions including one on broadband…

We reached out to all Minnesota candidates running for U.S Senate and U.S Congress this fall. Candidates were asked to provide a two-minute video discussing their platform as well as answer a set of our viewers’ questions.

Question on broadband…

Do you believe the government should subsidize broadband internet access for rural areas? Should public school districts reimburse families for the cost of distance learning?

Absolutely. The government should build out new broadband infrastructure. You can’t be part of the 21st century without access to the internet. Doing this will be a huge win for our economy. In certain cases, I do think school districts should be reimbursing families for the costs of distance learning. However, their funding is already dangerously low in many areas and the federal government needs to provide help.

Also mentioned…

What policy changes would you propose to jump-start the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? Should the federal government pass an additional stimulus bill? If so, what should it include?

The first step towards improving our economy is to make sure we can actually get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now there’s no clear end in sight. The federal government should be focused on getting assistance to the unemployed and furloughed workers and doing everything they can to combat the pandemic. Once through then yes, there is place for additional economic stimulus. I favor a national infrastructure package to fix our roads and bridges, expand rural broadband, and build new renewable energy resources.

WCCO reports on Michelle Fischbach (Republican candidate for the 7th District:)  to a number of questions including one on broadband…

We reached out to all Minnesota candidates running for U.S Senate and U.S Congress this fall. Candidates were asked to provide a two-minute video discussing their platform as well as answer a set of our viewers’ questions.

Question on broadband…

Do you believe the government should subsidize broadband internet access for rural areas? Should public school districts reimburse families for the cost of distance learning?

Yes. I think we need to invest in rural broadband so that western Minnesota has the same opportunity to survive and thrive as the metro area. In regards to distance learning, I think we need to get kids back in schools safely. Our parents and educators know that our children do better when they are learning in person and interacting with their peers.

WCCO reports on Dan Feehan, Democratic candidate for the 1st District answers to a number of questions including one on broadband…

We reached out to all Minnesota candidates running for U.S Senate and U.S Congress this fall. Candidates were asked to provide a two-minute video discussing their platform as well as answer a set of our viewers’ questions.

His comments on broadband…

Do you believe the government should subsidize broadband internet access for rural areas? Should public school districts reimburse families for the cost of distance learning?

I support the universal service fund and the requirement that large cities do their part to ensure the entire country gets much needed broadband. Our communities in southern Minnesota are in desperate need of increased investment in rural broadband. By supporting broadband, we can assist our schools, small businesses, and economies in Minnesota’s First District. In Congress, I would hope to lead on investments in infrastructure that included rural broadband.

WCCO reports on Congressman Collin Peterson’s (Democratic candidate for the 7th District)  answer to a number of questions including one on broadband…

We reached out to all Minnesota candidates running for U.S Senate and U.S Congress this fall. Candidates were asked to provide a two-minute video discussing their platform as well as answer a set of our viewers’ questions.

Question on broadband…

Do you believe the government should subsidize broadband internet access for rural areas? Should public school districts reimburse families for the cost of distance learning?

Reliable broadband is a utility, every bit as necessary as electricity. From distance learning to telehealth and the transitions of working from home during a public health crisis, broadband is more important than ever. It’s unacceptable that rural communities have limited, unreliable or worse yet no broadband access. I have introduced the Universal Broadband Act that secures adequate funding to support the construction of broadband infrastructure in rural and underserved areas without having to increase the national debt.

The Duluth News Tribune posts a letter from Michelle Lee of Moose Lake, the DFL candidate for Minnesota Senate District 11. She is challenging Republican Sen. Jason Rarick in the Nov. 3 election. She wrote this at the invitation of the News Tribune Opinion page. She promotes better broadband…

I’ll work with lawmakers to ensure access to affordable health care for our families, living wages, and the right to organize and to bargain collectively. We must also work to fully fund our public schools and critical projects aimed at addressing our crumbling roads, bridges, and community infrastructure — including funds to expand broadband to get our children connected with the world and attract new businesses to our district.