Throughout the forum, the two candidates acknowledged the district leaned toward Republican, but also believed it was important to bring rural DFL voices to the State House.

The forum began with opening statements from the candidates.

Klawitter listed his background as a graduate of Golden Valley Lutheran College and University Morris. He worked as a teacher and coach for 33 years. He also worked as a bus driver, truck driver and is currently a part-time golf course employee.

In running for office, Klawitter said he was for fairness, decency and respect and believed that was in short supply across the country.

Keith Klawitter of Morga

His top priorities if elected would be agriculture, healthcare and education.

“Education is the basis for everything,” he said. “As an educator I have seen good and bad things happen with education, but everyone deserves a good education.”

Klawitter said the cost for farmers are on the rise and if elected he would like to serve on the House Ag Committee.

“Right now the DFL on the ag committee are from the metro,” he said. “We need representation from rural Minnesota.”

Sik is the owner of Sleepy Eye Lanes and Lamberton Lanes, has served six years in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He served four years on the Lamberton City Council and is currently on his eighth year as Lamberton’s mayor.

Lydell Sik of Lamberton

“I am running because I think state government needs to work better than it is,” he said. “I think we need to be prepared for continued funding cuts from the federal government.”

Sik said all his top priorities if elected to office would be to help with affordability and safeguard public finance.

He said healthcare was a major issue because insurance costs continue to rise, while rural healthcare facilities and nursing homes seems to be struggling.

“It seems the only ones doing well with the healthcare we have right now are the insurance and drug companies,” Sik said.

Sik also cited a need for more day care options. He said the lack of day care was a strain on employees and employers across the district.

Keith Klawitter (left) and Lydell Sik (right) talk about the campaign following the LWV’s candidate forum at New Ulm City Hall. Photo by Clay Schuldt

Sik believed the entire district has been underfunded by bonding bills, which he believed were coming too slow.

Sike believed experience in business and local government made him the most qualified candidate in the election, not just in the primary but in the general election as well.

“It’s a very red district, to win as a DFL party we are going to need someone very qualified,” Sik said.

Sik described the district as rural with an aging population, but they pay attention to what is happening and many are concerned about property taxes and affordability.

Klawitter said across the district people were concerned about the direction of the country. He believed the change needed to come from the grassroots level.

“I am not going to change anything in Washington, but I can change things here,” Klawitter said. He specifically cited farm and agriculture issues.

Klawitter believed it was necessary to get a rural DFL representative on the House ag committee.

Sik said as a member of local government he had traveled the St. Paul multiple times seeking funding for local infrastructure problem. He said the rural areas always send a Republican delegation while Minnesota’s DFL party is centered in the metro area.

Sik said it was time for DFL to create a rural caucus.

On the question of the primary issues in agriculture and what role state legislators should take in addressing the issues, both candidates were in agreement that the big issues were out of their hands.

Klawitter said the big problems could not be solved locally because they were being debated in Washington, D.C. On the state level he believed it was possible to create consistency for farmers to make sure they could make a living farming without depending on government bail outs. He suggested using local tax credits to help new farmers.

Sik agreed that there was not much state government could do to help farmers, because most of the issues were caused by federal regulations. He thought property tax relief was the only area they could help on the state level.

The candidates were asked what actions they would take to protect victims of domestic violence and stalking.

Klawitter said the recidivism among domestic abusers was high.

“You can’t just turn people back on the street and think they will be rehabilitated after a short stay in jail,” he said. “You can’t just look the other way and ignore obvious crimes and then blame the victim.”

Klawitter also supported increase mental health service to combat the problem.

Sik said victims need to be supported in every way possible and that includes using the laws to confine abusers if necessary. He was concerned the justice system was ignoring the problem. He agreed mental health care was an important part of resolving domestic violence.

In his closing statement, Sik thanked the League of Women Voters and all candidates running for office. He said the last couple years have been a difficult time to be a politician.

“To win this election in what is a reliable Republican district, you need to advanced a candidate that has a combination of business and governing experience,” he said. “I have a record of fighting to limiting property taxes while providing the best public service possible. I have dealt with planning and funding operating all aspects of local government and operating business. I know the effects of regulations on business, good and bad. I am an employee and employers, I understand the needs of both at local and state level. I am not running because it is an empty seat with Paul Torkelson retiring, this is a continuation of the work I’ve been doing all along.”

Klawitter said as the district’s representative, he would listen and the voter’s voices to St. Paul. He promised to hold regular town halls across the district and provide clear and consistent communication with constituents.

Following the forum, moderator Linda Heine said LWV will host another candidate forum on Wednesday, Oct. 7 for MN House 15 that will include the winner of the DFL primary and The Republican candidate for MN House 15B, Geri Theis. This will be followed by a forum for the Senate District 15 candidates.

Heine said school board election filing had recently opened. In the event of a contested race for the District 88 school board, a candidate forum will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The New Ulm Ward 4 City Council election has no candidates filed, but if a viable write-in contest happens, a forum will be held Wednesday, Oct. 21. All forums will be held at New Ulm City Hall.

Minnesota’s primary elections begins, Tuesday, Aug. 11 with early voting already started. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.