Three incumbents and nine challengers will vie for four open seats on the University of Minnesota's governing Board of Regents.
The Minnesota Legislature's Regent Candidate Advisory Council selected the finalists after receiving 35 applications for the vacancies and interviewing 17 candidates. The council announced its recommendations to a joint legislative committee Monday.
"It's a very impressive list of candidates," said Dan Wolter, a member of the council.
He noted the finalists, who fielded council members' questions on topics ranging from student debt to athletics, include prominent business leaders, veterans of public service and others.
Minnesota legislators will select one regent in each of three congressional districts and for one at-large seat.
The finalists are:
Second District
• Ian Benson, a manager at Xcel Energy and U.S. Navy Reserve veteran.
• Jim Carter, a former Gophers running back and Green Bay Packer.