Jake Johnson grew up watching his parents stretch dollars that never seemed quite enough. His father collected garbage, his mother read gas meters, and the family relied on food stamps and Medicaid to get by. Federal grants and loans got Johnson to college, a pathway he now wants to restore for others as he runs for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District.
The 44-year-old high school math teacher is seeking the seat vacated by Tim Walz when he ran for governor in 2018. Since then, Republicans have held the district, and Johnson is one of several Democratic challengers nationally targeting seats party strategists view as competitive in the midterms.
Johnson's campaign centers on pocketbook issues he believes cut across the rural, agricultural district. He points specifically to tariffs as a drag on the local economy, arguing they have driven up costs for farmers dependent on imported fertilizer and created uncertainty about export markets. The Iran conflict has compounded the problem by raising input costs further, he said.
"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 in an interview. "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.'"
Healthcare emerges as his second major attack line against incumbent Republican Brad Finstad, who has held the seat since 2022. The district is home to the Mayo Clinic, and Johnson argues that recent Medicare and Medicaid cuts have hit the region especially hard. He cited four clinic closures as evidence.
Before entering the race, Johnson spent years as a bargaining team member and government relations coordinator with Education Minnesota, the state's teacher union. He credits union advocacy with pushing for smaller class sizes and competitive teacher pay, framing labor organizing as central to improving public education.
Johnson has also hammered Finstad for avoiding in-person town halls, opting instead for virtual events. He cast the decision as a sign that his opponent is more beholden to corporate donors than constituents.
"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, am willing to meet with everyone to hear their concerns."
A February 2026 poll by a Democratic firm showed Finstad with a 35% approval rating and 38% disapproval. In a head-to-head matchup, Finstad led 44% to 41%, with 15% of voters undecided. The district leans Republican by six points on the Cook Partisan Index.
Johnson argues that broad unpopularity of Trump administration policies creates an opening. He said voters across the district want tariffs repealed, schools fully funded, and an end to the Iran conflict.
"They want opportunity again so that they can live their American dream," Johnson said.
Finstad's office did not respond to requests for comment on the race.
Author James Rodriguez: "Johnson's messaging is disciplined and locally rooted, but the math is tough in a district that favors Republicans by six points, even with Finstad's low approval numbers."
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