WASHINGTON – Congress member Brad Finstad, a Republican elected from southern Minnesota last week, is awaiting his committee assignments. He has told House leadership that he’s interested in economics, education, energy, health and veterans. He didn’t list agriculture, which sttook observers by surprise Not only is Finstad a fourth-generation family famer, he was President Trump’s designee as the U.S, Department of Agriculture’s rural development director for Minnesota. He also had been agricultural policy advisor to former U.S. Representative Mark Kennedy. In the Minnesota House, where he served three terms, he was on several legislative and statewide agricultural committees. He also had been an area director for the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

Earlier: Finstad instated for MN-1 in Congress

Comfy fit, nice leather. New MN-1 Congress member Brad Finstad tries out his seat, one of 435 in the U.S. House chamber, on his first day in office.

How to contact

> Capitol: Longworth Office Building, Suite 1422.

> Mankato: 11 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 301.

> Rochester: 1530 Greenview Druve,Southwest, Suite 207.