The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth News Tribune are hosting the 2026 Candidate Forums on Sept. 28 from 5-7:45 pm and Sept. 29 from 5-8:45 pm at The Garden Event Center. These forums will provide a timely opportunity to meet the candidates running for state and local offices this election season.
The 2026 Candidate Forums are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Walk-ins welcome. Complimentary parking is available in the lot behind The Garden if you mention the event.
The forums will also be video recorded by the Duluth News Tribune and made available for viewing later, at no cost, at duluthnewstribune.com.
*Our candidate forums are structured around invitations to the nominees of the two major political parties. This has been our longstanding format and is intended to keep the program manageable within the time and logistical constraints of the event while providing voters with an opportunity to hear from the major-party candidates.
Monday, Sept. 28
5-5:45 pm: Minnesota Senate – District 3
Senator Grant Hauschild (Incumbent) vs. Andrea Zupancich
6-6:45 pm: Minnesota Senate – District 8
Senator Jen McEwen (Incumbent) vs. Darrick Law
7-7:45 pm: St. Louis County Commissioner
District 1 – Commissioner Annie Harala (Incumbent) vs. Kris Eilers
Tuesday, Sept. 29
5 pm-5:45 pm: Duluth Public Schools – ISD 709 Referendum Questions
Superintendent John Magas, Loren Martell, Vote Yes Representative (TBD)
6 pm–6:45 pm: Minnesota House of Representatives – District 8B
Representative Liish Kozlowski (Incumbent) vs. Shawn Savela
7 pm-7:45 pm: Minnesota House of Representatives – District 8A
Representative Pete Johnson (Incumbent) vs. Allan Kehr II
8:00 pm – 8:45 pm Minnesota House of Representatives – District 3B
Representative Natalie Zeleznikar (Incumbent) vs. Aaron Schweiger
