ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Democrat-endorsed candidate for the southeast Minnesota seat in Congress, Jake Johnson, laid out a summer townhall tour to meet voters in all 21 MN-1 counties. The schedule contrasts with Republican incumbent Brad Finstad, who has refused invitations to eyeball-to-eyeball townhalls and not scheduled any on his own. Said Johnson in a KTTC interview:
“People want an opportunity to speak with their representative, their elected representative. It’s something that they just do not feel like they’re getting with Congressman Finstad.”
Johnson’s schedule includes Winona County, July 14; Wabasha County, July 21; Mower County, July 23; Fillmore County, July 27; Olmsted County, August 15; Goodhue County, August 16; Houston County; August 25; and Dodge County, August 31. “I have full faith in the people of southern Minnesota are gonna come out and make their viewpoints known and actually try to solve some problems and do it in a locally focused way,” Johnson said.
On stump. With his take-everywhere red and white campaign poster. Who’s missing? Johnson’s point is that incumbent BradvFinstad hasn’t participated in any townhalls in months.
Candidate profile
Johnson is a math teacher at Mayo High School in Rochester. Active in teachers union as government relations coordinator. New to seeking public office.