Positive political experience

Candidates relay qualifications, answer questions at Melrose forum

Erik Osberg, Minnesota 7th Congressional District candidate, answers a question Oct. 12 during a Melrose Meet the Candidates Night at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center in Melrose. “I believe we can do better” is Osberg’s campaign theme.

Photo by Carol Moorman

Melrose councilor candidate Holly Berscheit (from left) listens as fellow candidate Jade Massmann answers a question Oct. 12 during a Melrose Meet the Candidates Night at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center in Melrose. Melrose Mayor Joe Finken was also present; he is the lone candidate that filed for the mayor position, while there is a race to fill Melrose councilor seats.

Photo by Carol Moorman

Melrose School Board candidate Melissa Poepping (left) answers a question while fellow candidate Chris Herdering listens Oct. 12 during a Melrose Meet the Candidates Night at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center in Melrose. The event included pre-written questions and questions from people in the audience.

Photo by Carol Moorman

Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2026 12:00 am

By Carol Moorman | STAFF WRITER

Erik Osberg kicked off his Minnesota 7th Congressional District campaign in March 2025, and in 19 months, he has visited with 10,000 people face to face.

“My biggest qualification is I’m willing to show up, and I’m willing to listen; from there, we learn and, hopefully, we lead,” said Osberg, an Upsala resident, in front of an estimated 62 people at an Oct. 12 Melrose Meet the Candidates Night at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center in Melrose.

Osberg, a Democrat, is running against Michelle Fischbach, of Regal, who is the Republican incumbent for the 7th District.

The Meet the Candidates Night was organized by the Melrose Area Women of Today. Present along with Osberg were Melrose Area School District Board candidates Melissa Poepping and Chris Herdering, Melrose Mayor candidate Joe Finken, and Melrose city councilor candidates Holly Berscheit and Jade Massmann.

Candidates Michelle Fischbach (7th Congressional District), Travis Frieler (city councilor), and Allen Wieling and Becky Feldewerd (school board) were unable to attend.

After introductory statements from each candidate, they answered pre-written questions from moderator Jean McDonald and later questions submitted by people at the event.

Lois Thielen, WOT member who contacted all of the candidates, wrote the questions — five for each category.

Thielen said she felt the Meet the Candidates Night was a very positive political experience compared to all the negativity on TV and online.

“Hearing about all the good things about the Melrose community and school and seeing the committed and competent people making this happen is such an upper and another reason people need to go to a Meet the Candidates Night,” she concluded.