Jake Johnson, a high school math teacher from Stewartville, Minnesota, is running for Congress in a district that has not elected a Democrat since 2018, when Tim Walz vacated the seat to run for governor. Johnson's campaign emphasizes affordability, drawing on his own childhood experiences with government assistance.
Background and Motivation
Johnson grew up in a family that relied on food stamps and Medicaid. His father worked as a garbage collector, and his mother read meters for the local gas company. He funded his college education through Pell grants and Stafford loans. 'We were broke,' Johnson said. 'I got to grow up living what I thought was an American dream, where you work hard and a lot of people invest in you.'
This upbringing drove Johnson to seek the Democratic nomination for Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, one of 44 districts Democrats consider competitive in the 2026 midterms. Johnson is among several Democratic candidates with labor union backgrounds aiming to connect with workers frustrated by the economy.
Union Advocacy and Policy Positions
A former member of the bargaining team and government relations coordinator with Education Minnesota, the state's teachers union, Johnson has advocated for increased teacher benefits and fought to prevent school closures. 'To me, a lot of the great things that happen in public schools happen because of unions. We're the ones fighting for smaller class sizes. We're the ones fighting for reasonable wages,' he said.
Johnson is challenging incumbent Republican Brad Finstad, who has held the seat since 2022. Johnson argues that Finstad supports policies that harm the district, particularly tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. The district is predominantly rural and ranks as the ninth most agriculturally productive in the US, according to Johnson.
Tariffs and Economic Impact
'A huge piece of affordability is ending the tariffs and rebuilding our export markets and lowering input costs for our farmers, small businesses and families,' Johnson said. He also noted that the Iran war has increased fertilizer costs. 'We've already got farmers who are planning ahead for the fall going, 'I don't know if I'm going to be able to get my fertilizer preordered for next season.''
Johnson also criticized healthcare cuts by the Trump administration, including reductions to Medicare, Medicaid, and research funding. The district is home to the Mayo Clinic, and Johnson said four clinics have closed in the district alone. 'Healthcare cuts have been particularly pronounced here. We have felt it acutely,' he said.
Campaign Tactics and Opposition
Johnson criticized Finstad for holding only virtual town halls, avoiding in-person events amid national Republican advice against them due to protests. 'Finstad seems to have chosen his powerful political backers, his corporate donors over the people of this district,' Johnson said. 'I, who take no corporate Pac money, and am funded by the people of this district, am willing to meet with everyone to hear their concerns.' Finstad's office did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
A February 2026 poll by a Democratic firm showed Finstad with a 35% approval rating and 38% disapproval. In a midterm election matchup, Finstad led Johnson 44% to 41%, with 15% undecided. The Cook Partisan Index rates the district as R+6. Johnson believes Trump's unpopular policies give Democrats an opening. 'Finstad continues to hitch his wagon to policies that are very, very unpopular in this district, I think gives us an opening, gives us an opportunity to speak exactly to where folks are at,' Johnson said. 'They want the war to end, they want the tariffs to end, they want their schools fully funded, they want opportunity again so that they can live their American dream.'
