Meet the Candidates: House District 35A

This transcript covers a legislative candidate forum for Minnesota House District 35A held on August 24, 2026, featuring candidates Zach Stephenson and Josh Jungling. The discussion focused primarily on key community issues such as fraud in state government, affordability challenges including housing, healthcare, and transportation costs, and infrastructure priorities like road and bridge improvements in the North Metro region. Both candidates emphasized the need for accountability in government spending to prevent fraud and advocated for policies to reduce living costs and improve transportation infrastructure. They also debated housing policy, particularly the balance between state and local control over zoning and permitting, with both supporting increased housing supply to address affordability. While the forum did not include specific contract awards or procurement decisions, the candidates highlighted the importance of efficient government spending and infrastructure investment, which could influence future procurement and budget priorities in the state legislature.