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D Democratic-Farmer-Labor · U.S. House 8, Minnesota · Nov 3, 2026

Trina
Swanson

DFL challenger Trina Swanson, immigration attorney and ex-USCIS director, runs against incumbent Pete Stauber in MN-08

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
18
positions
12
endorsements
21
trinaforcongress.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Pete Stauber R Compare race →

Background

Trina Swanson is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) challenger for Minnesota's 8th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against incumbent Republican Pete Stauber. 127 She grew up in Hermantown, Minnesota, and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas and a Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. 19

Before entering the congressional race, Swanson spent nearly 20 years at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), rising to Director of International Operations—a role she held from December 2023 until September 2025. 101927 Her career also included work at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Duluth. 10

Since October 2025, Swanson has served as a founding partner at JET Global Solutions, LLP, an immigration law firm. 1926 She has no prior elected office listed in the sources reviewed. The FEC lists her as a challenger in the 2026 race. 1

At a glance

Party
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Running for
U.S. House · District 8, Minnesota
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Founding Partner, JET Global Solutions, LLP; Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for U.S. House, Minnesota's 8th District
Website
trinaforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 11
    news
    Swanson identified among former federal workers running for Congress in 2026

    Common Dreams included Swanson in a list of nine former federal workers running for Congress in the 2026 cycle.

    Meet the 9 Former Federal Workers Running for Congress | Common Dreams · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 8
    debate
    MinneapoliMedia reports on Swanson-Stauber debate clashes over mining and Minnesota's future

    Coverage of the Duluth debate highlighted clashes between Swanson and Stauber over mining near the Boundary Waters, affordability, and Minnesota's future.

    Congressional Candidates Trina Swanson and Pete Stauber ... · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 7
    debate
    MPR News covers Swanson-Stauber debate, highlighting mining and affordability clashes

    MPR News reported on the October 6 Duluth debate, noting exchanges over Boundary Waters mining, data centers, and affordability. Stauber argued permitting should move forward to meet demand for critical minerals, while Swanson opposed mining within three miles of the Boundary Waters.

    GOP Rep. Pete Stauber, DFL challenger Trina Swanson debate in Duluth · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 6
    debate
    Swanson and Stauber debate on WDIO in Duluth ahead of early voting

    Swanson and incumbent Republican Pete Stauber debated on WDIO in Duluth — described by MPR as the first and possibly only debate in the race. Topics included Boundary Waters-area mining, data centers, and affordability. Swanson said, 'Mining within three miles of the most pristine area that we have in the United States is not OK.'

    GOP Rep. Pete Stauber, DFL challenger Trina Swanson debate in Duluth · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 2
    news
    Open letter published to Swanson as MN-08 congressional candidate

    An open letter addressed to Trina Swanson as a candidate for U.S. Congress was published, referencing her endorsements from EMILYs List and the Committee to Protect Health Care.

    OPEN LETTER TO MS. TRINA SWANSON Candidate for United ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 22
    news
    Swanson discusses priorities and volunteer base at Minneapolis fundraiser

    At a Minneapolis fundraiser, Swanson discussed her priorities including universal health care, affordability, mining near the Boundary Waters, data-center regulation, and federal accountability. The campaign had 900 volunteers. EMILYs List and the Committee to Protect Health Care were mentioned as endorsers.

    Trina Swanson Explains Why She Can Win Pete Stauber’s Congressional Seat · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 17
    news
    MinnPost reports Swanson raised ~$316,000 as of July 22; district rated 'Solid Republican'

    MinnPost reported Swanson had raised about $316,000 as of July 22, citing campaign finance figures. The Cook Political Report listed the district as 'Solid Republican.'

    Why it will be difficult to oust Minnesota's congressional incumbents · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Aug 1
    news
    Trina Swanson wins DFL primary with ~77% of the vote in MN-08

    Swanson won the August 2026 DFL primary with approximately 77% of the vote, with more than 70,000 DFL votes cast. She had also previously won the party caucus endorsement with 74% on the first ballot.

    Trina Swanson Explains Why She Can Win Pete Stauber’s Congressional Seat · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • National Farmers Union Political Action Committee (NFUPAC) union
    Campaign endorsement page lists endorsement as October 8, 2026. trinaforcongress.com · Oct 8, 2026
  • Minnesota State Council of Machinists union
    Campaign endorsement page lists endorsement as October 6, 2026. trinaforcongress.com · Oct 6, 2026
  • Education Minnesota union
    Endorsed Swanson on September 25, 2026 per the union's own announcement. educationminnesota.org · Sep 25, 2026
  • Indivisible Iron Range organization
    Campaign endorsement page lists endorsement as August 27, 2026. trinaforcongress.com · Aug 27, 2026
  • Minnesota AFL-CIO union
    Campaign announcement dated August 26, 2026; campaign endorsement list dates it August 27. trinaforcongress.com · Aug 27, 2026
  • EMILYs List organization
    Announced by the campaign on August 27, 2026 via campaign announcement page. trinaforcongress.com · Aug 27, 2026
  • Feminist Majority organization
    Campaign lists August 25, 2026; Feminist Majority's 2026 endorsement page also lists Swanson for Minnesota's 8th District. feministmajority.org · Aug 25, 2026
  • U.S. Sen. Tina Smith official
    Campaign endorsement page lists the endorsement as August 10, 2026. trinaforcongress.com · Aug 10, 2026
  • Committee to Protect Health Care organization
    Campaign endorsement page lists endorsement as August 10, 2026. trinaforcongress.com · Aug 10, 2026
  • U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum official
    Campaign endorsement page lists the endorsement as July 27, 2026. trinaforcongress.com · Jul 27, 2026
  • DFL Veterans and Military Families Caucus organization
    Campaign endorsement list and July 22 campaign release both confirm this date. trinaforcongress.com · Jul 22, 2026
  • DFL Rural Caucus organization
    Campaign lists endorsement as July 8, 2026; chair Theresa Keaveny quoted in July 22 campaign release. trinaforcongress.com · Jul 8, 2026
  • We Are Rising & Resisting (Indivisible group) organization
    Campaign endorsement page lists endorsement as June 17, 2026. trinaforcongress.com · Jun 17, 2026
  • DFL Senior Caucus organization
    Campaign lists endorsement as June 2, 2026; DFL Senior Caucus endorsement list also names Swanson for CD8. dflseniors.org · Jun 2, 2026
  • Women Winning organization
    Campaign endorsement page lists endorsement as May 29, 2026. trinaforcongress.com · May 29, 2026
  • Minnesota DFL, Congressional District 8 official
    Swanson won the district party endorsement at the CD8 convention; campaign endorsement page lists it under May 4. dfl.org · May 2, 2026
  • Chad McKenna official
    Campaign lists support as April 28, 2026; no office or organization identified in endorsement heading. trinaforcongress.com · Apr 28, 2026
  • Save the Boundary Waters Action Fund organization
    Campaign lists endorsement as April 22, 2026; organization's director quoted in July 22 campaign release. trinaforcongress.com · Apr 22, 2026
  • Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE-PAC) union
    Campaign lists endorsement as April 6, 2026; MAPE PAC Chair Monica Weber quoted in July 22 campaign release noting 18,000 members. trinaforcongress.com · Apr 6, 2026
  • Cyle Cramer official
    Campaign lists support as April 5, 2026; no office or organization identified in endorsement heading. trinaforcongress.com · Apr 5, 2026
  • Jen Schultz official
    Former DFL nominee for the district; campaign lists endorsement as April 4, 2026. trinaforcongress.com · Apr 4, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$317K
Spent
$226K
Cash on hand
$90K

As of Jul 22, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6MN08179(opens in a new tab)

Sources 18

  1. [1] LET’S FIX IT! TOUR(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] Meet the 9 Former Federal Workers Running for Congress | Common Dreams(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  3. [3] MN AFL-CIO Endorses Trina Swanson For Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  4. [4] Pete Stauber seeks 5th term against Trina Swanson in race ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  5. [5] Congressional Candidates Trina Swanson and Pete Stauber ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  6. [6] Endorsements - DFL Senior Caucus(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  7. [7] GOP Rep. Pete Stauber, DFL challenger Trina Swanson debate in Duluth(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  8. [8] Priorities & Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  9. [9] OPEN LETTER TO MS. TRINA SWANSON Candidate for United ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  10. [10] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  11. [11] Education Minnesota endorses Little, Swanson for Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  12. [12] Trina Swanson Explains Why She Can Win Pete Stauber’s Congressional Seat(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  13. [13] Why it will be difficult to oust Minnesota's congressional incumbents(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  14. [14] EMILYs List Endorses Trina Swanson For Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
  15. [15] 2026 - Feminist Majority(opens in a new tab) Sep 6, 2026
  16. [16] Trina Swanson Announces Broad Coalition of Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Aug 12, 2026
  17. [17] DFL Congressional District 8 Holds Endorsing Convention(opens in a new tab) May 2, 2026
  18. [18] 8th District democrats talk gun reform in candidate forum(opens in a new tab) Apr 24, 2026
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