Brad
Finstad
Republican U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad represents Minnesota's 1st District; first elected in 2022 special election, seeking re-election in 2026.
- sources
- 21
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 7
Background
Brad Finstad is the Republican U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, first elected in a special election on August 9, 2022. He resides in the New Ulm area and holds a degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis in Rural Leadership Development. 124
Before serving in Congress, Finstad represented his district in the Minnesota House of Representatives for three terms (2003–2009). He subsequently held roles including Minnesota state director for USDA Rural Development, executive positions with the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and the Center for Rural Policy and Development, and earlier served as staff to U.S. Representative Mark Kennedy. 16
Finstad is a farmer and operates an agriculture business with his wife and extended family. He is the incumbent seeking re-election in the November 2026 general election. 1410
At a glance
- Party
- Republican · Incumbent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Minnesota
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- U.S. Representative, Minnesota's 1st Congressional District
- Website
- finstadforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 9newsOver $2.5 million in outside spending reported in MN-01 race, most opposing Finstad
MPR News reported more than $2.5 million in outside spending had flowed into the race, most of it opposing Finstad. A group tied to House Majority Whip Tom Emmer deployed $600,000 in ads critical of Johnson, while Democratic-aligned Your Community PAC had spent $1.5 million since September to support Johnson.
Brad Finstad, Jake Johnson debate in 1st Congressional ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9debateFinstad and Johnson debate trade, health care, and immigration on KTTC/KEYC
Finstad and Johnson debated in a program televised by KTTC and KEYC. Finstad defended Trump's tariffs as bringing new trade partners to the table; Johnson called them costly and said he would vote to end them. They also clashed over rural health care funding and immigration.
Brad Finstad, Jake Johnson debate in 1st Congressional ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8pollHouse Majority PAC poll shows Johnson 47%, Finstad 46% in MN-01
A poll released by the Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC in late September showed challenger Jake Johnson at 47% and incumbent Finstad at 46%. No other recent public survey of the contest was available at the time of reporting.
The House battleground has moved deep into Trump turf · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6filingFinstad announces Safeguarding Technology from CCP Influence Act
Finstad announced the introduction of the Safeguarding Technology from CCP Influence Act. Further details on the bill's provisions were not available in the sources reviewed.
CRI2026 - FINSTAD, BRAD (a Representative from Minnesota) · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsFinstad pens op-ed arguing Minnesota's fraud failures show need for National Fraud Enforcement Division
In an opinion article, Finstad argued that Minnesota's fraud failures demonstrate the need for a permanent National Fraud Enforcement Division at the Justice Department, led by an assistant attorney general.
Rep. Brad Finstad: Minnesota's fraud failures are why we need a National Fraud Enforcement Division | AlphaNews.org · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsFinstad hosts open discussion with Fairmont area veterans and veterans organizations
Finstad hosted an open discussion with Fairmont area veterans and veterans organizations.
Finstad Hosts Open Discussion with Fairmont Area Veterans ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1filingFinstad statement after Senate Democrats block National Fraud Enforcement Division Act
Finstad issued a statement after Senate Democrats blocked a unanimous-consent request to pass his National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026. The House had previously passed the bill 352–72.
Finstad Statement on Democrats Blocking Senate Passage of ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsFinstad joins joint statement on New Richland flood prevention infrastructure improvements
Finstad, state legislators, and county and city leaders released a joint statement regarding New Richland flood prevention infrastructure improvements.
Finstad, State Legislators, County, City Leaders Release Joint ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- National Right to Life organizationListed under endorsements in iVoterGuide's 2026 candidate profile. ivoterguide.com
- Minnesota First District Republicans organizationListed under endorsements in iVoterGuide's 2026 candidate profile. ivoterguide.com
- Goodhue County Republicans organizationListed under endorsements in iVoterGuide's 2026 candidate profile. ivoterguide.com
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce organizationThe Chamber announced it endorsed Finstad for reelection. uschamber.com · Sep 10, 2026
- Minnesota Pipe Trades Local 6 unionAnnounced endorsement at the same press conference in Rochester. kttc.com · Sep 9, 2026
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 unionAnnounced endorsement at a press conference in Rochester. kttc.com · Sep 9, 2026
- President Donald Trump officialTrump wrote that Finstad had his 'Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election.' trumpstruth.org · Nov 3, 2025
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.03M
- Spent
- $808K
- Cash on hand
- $1.28M
As of Jul 22, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H2MN01223(opens in a new tab)
Sources 21
- [1] Brad Finstad, Jake Johnson debate in 1st Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] The House battleground has moved deep into Trump turf(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] CRI2026 - FINSTAD, BRAD (a Representative from Minnesota)(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [4] Rep. Brad Finstad: Minnesota's fraud failures are why we need a National Fraud Enforcement Division | AlphaNews.org(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [5] Finstad Hosts Open Discussion with Fairmont Area Veterans ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [6] Finstad Statement on Democrats Blocking Senate Passage of ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [7] Finstad, State Legislators, County, City Leaders Release Joint ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [8] Brad Finstad (R) – MN-01 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [9] Voter Guide Profile for MN U.S. Rep., Dist. 1 candidate - Brad Finstad(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [10] U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Brad Finstad for Minnesota's First ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 10, 2026
- [11] Rep. Brad Finstad visits Rochester, receives endorsements from local unions(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
- [12] Finstad Sends Letter to MN Secretary of State Steve Simon ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 7, 2026
- [13] Finstad Applauds House Passage of FY27 National Defense ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 22, 2026
- [14] Finstad Hosts Roundtable with Southern Minnesota Law ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 18, 2026
- [15] Economy - United States Congressman Brad Finstad(opens in a new tab) Dec 24, 2025
- [16] Energy - United States Congressman Brad Finstad(opens in a new tab) Dec 24, 2025
- [17] The Working Families Tax Cuts - Brad Finstad - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Dec 24, 2025
- [18] Donald J. Trump: "Congressman Brad Finstad is a fantastic ...(opens in a new tab) Nov 3, 2025
- [19] Issues - United States Congressman Brad Finstad - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Jul 10, 2025
- [20] Finstad Statement on Passage of the Limit, Save, Grow Act - United ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 26, 2023
- [21] Brad Finstad — official campaign website(opens in a new tab)