08/12/2026
PRESS RELEASE: MN-01 Primary Shows Strong Republican Unity Behind Brad Finstad
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Primary Results Show Strong Republican Unity Behind Congressman Brad Finstad
Finstad earns more votes than Democratic nominee as CD1 Republican turnout nearly matches DFL turnout
Tuesday night’s primary results delivered a clear picture of the political landscape in Minnesota’s First Congressional District: Republicans remain strongly united behind Congressman Brad Finstad.
Congressman Finstad earned 50,524 votes and 90.1% of the Republican primary vote, demonstrating overwhelming support among Republican voters across southern Minnesota.
Democratic nominee Jake Johnson received 47,164 votes and 81.7% of the DFL primary vote.
That means Finstad received 3,360 more votes than his Democratic opponent, even though overall participation in the DFL congressional primary was slightly higher.
Perhaps even more notable was the turnout.
A total of 56,062 Republicans participated in the MN-01 congressional primary compared with 57,761 Democrats, a difference of only 1,699 voters across the entire First Congressional District.
That stands in sharp contrast to Minnesota’s statewide primary results, where Democratic turnout substantially exceeded Republican turnout.
“Tuesday night gave us something more meaningful than political predictions. It gave us actual votes from the people of southern Minnesota,” said Lukas Severson, Chairman of the Minnesota First Congressional District Republican Party.
“Despite a significant Democratic turnout advantage statewide, that advantage virtually disappeared here in the First District. And when Republicans went to the polls, they stood behind Brad Finstad.”
The results demonstrate a Republican electorate that remains highly engaged and overwhelmingly consolidated behind its incumbent congressman.
“Primary night gave southern Minnesota an opportunity to speak for itself,” Severson said. “The numbers speak loudly: Republican turnout nearly matched Democratic turnout, Brad Finstad earned more votes than his Democratic opponent, and more than 90% of Republicans stood together behind our Congressman.”
Finstad now enters the general election as the Republican nominee with an overwhelmingly unified primary electorate behind him.
“Our work now turns toward November, and Republicans across the First District are ready to re-elect Brad Finstad,” Severson said.
“Brad has shown what strong representation for southern Minnesota looks like. He has taken the voices of our farmers and producers directly to Washington, holding Farm Bill listening sessions throughout all 21 counties of the First District and helping advance a Farm Bill focused on the needs of rural America. He has fought for tax relief for working families, stood with our veterans and law enforcement, supported our rural communities, and remained true to the people he represents. Brad understands this district because this is his home. We are proud to stand united behind him and ready to send him back to Congress to keep delivering for southern Minnesota.”
