Sen. Robert Farnsworth elected chair of IRRR Board

At today's Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Board meeting in St. Paul, Sen. Robert Farnsworth of Hibbing was elected chair. He represents District 7 and has been a member of the board since 2023.

Rep. Roger Skraba, vice chair of the IRRR Board, called the special meeting to reorganize the board and select a new chair following last week’s resignation by former Sen. Justin Eichorn from the Minnesota State Senate. With his resignation from the senate, Eichorn was therefore no longer the chair of the IRRR Board.

The IRRR Board consists of the state senators and representatives elected from state senatorial or house districts in which one-third or more of the residents reside within the agency's service area. One additional state senator is appointed by the majority leader of the senate.

Sen. Farnsworth and Rep. Skraba serve with the following board members: 

• Sen. Grant Hauschild, District 3.
• Rep. Ben Davis, District 6A.
• Rep. Spencer Igo, District 7A.
• Rep. Cal Warwas, District 7B.
• Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, District 59.

Currently, there is one open board seat due to Eichorn's resignation. Gov. Tim Walz called for an April 29 special election to fill the vacancy in Senate District 6. The person who wins that election will serve on the IRRR Board.