Meet the Candidates: House District 35B

This transcript is from a legislative candidate forum for Minnesota House District 35B, held on August 24, 2026, and moderated by the Metro North Chamber of Commerce. Candidates Steve Pape and Kerry Rewitzer discussed key issues including fraud, affordability, transportation infrastructure, business growth, workforce development, and housing. Both candidates emphasized the importance of improving infrastructure such as highways and community facilities, with Rewitzer highlighting recent state funding successes and Pape cautioning about costly projects like light rail. They also debated housing policy, particularly the balance between state versus local control of zoning decisions to address a critical housing shortage. While no specific contract awards or procurement decisions were made, the discussion touched on infrastructure funding priorities and economic development policies that could influence future state procurement and capital projects.