A special election in state House District 5B, in the Hibbing area, is needed following Rep. Tony Sertich's resignation from the Legislature to take over as commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation agency.

Four candidates — three DFLers and on Republican — jumped into the race Friday, the first day of filings. Filings close Teusday, and a primary election is scheduled for Feb. 1.

DFLers filing on the first day were:

• Jeffrey “Jeff” Kletscher, mayor of Floodwood.
• Carly Melin of Hibbing, a former intern for Sertich. Melin works for the state judiciary on the Range. Her campaign co-chairs are former state Sen. Jerry Janezich and his wife, Patty.
• Shelley Robinson of Hibbing. She is the executive director of Range Center Inc., and one of three public members on the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

 Also filing was Republican Paul Jacobson of Hibbing, who ran against Sertich in November, and lost by a 2-1 margin. He's a counselor at the juvenile correctional and treatment facility KidsPeace Mesabi Academy in Buhl.