Veterans Groups to Host St. Cloud Candidate Forum for District 14 Races

(KNSI) – Two central Minnesota veterans organizations are giving voters a chance to hear where the candidates for the Legislature in District 14 stand on issues facing vets.

American Legion Post 76 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 428 are hosting a candidate forum on Wednesday, October 14th, at 7:00 p.m. at VFW Post 428, 9 18th Avenue North in St. Cloud.

In the Senate race, incumbent Democratic-Farmer-Labor Senator Aric Putnam, first elected in 2020, faces Republican Representative Bernie Perryman, who gave up her House District 14A seat to run for the Senate.

That leaves 14A without an incumbent. St. Cloud City Council President Mike Conway, a Republican, is running against DFLer Abdi Daisane, a St. Cloud child care business owner who ran for the same seat in 2024 and lost to Perryman.

House District 14B is also an open seat after Rep. Dan Wolgamott made a failed bid for his party’s nomination for state auditor. DFL candidate Zach Dorholt, who represented 14B from 2013 to 2015, faces Republican Sue Ek.

Organizers say the forum will focus on veterans issues, including health care, benefits, the transition from military to civilian life and support services.

The forum is free and open to the public. For more information, contact American Legion Post 76 Commander Dave Kleis at davekleis@charter.net.

Kleis, an Air Force veteran, served 20 years as St. Cloud mayor, the longest tenure in the city’s history, before choosing not to seek a sixth term. Mayor Jake Anderson succeeded him in January 2025. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.

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