MN-01: Brad Finstad (R)

REPLACING:

Jim Hagedorn (R)[i]

WORK HISTORY:

US House of Representatives (Representative, MN-01); Frontier Labs MN (President); Minnesota Turkey (Executive Director); USDA Rural Development (Minnesota State Director); Center for Rural Policy & Development (Chief Executive Officer); Minnesota House of Representatives (State Representative, District 21B)[ii]

EDUCATION & TRAINING:

BS, University of Minnesota[iii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Pro-Trump; Pro-Gun; Pro-Life; Pro-Family; Pro-Freedom[iv]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

Finstad says he is “proud to defend the sanctity of life” and pledges to “fight to protect all unborn human beings.”[v]

ECONOMY, JOBS & TAXES:

On his campaign website, Finstad writes that he supports “keeping government out of the way so entrepreneurs, farmers, and small businesses can thrive.”[vi] He voted against the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022; the bill enacted a 15% corporate minimum tax for businesses making at least $1 billion in profits annually. [vii] He is endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business and expressed support for the House Republicans’ Commitment to America economic plan.[viii] [ix]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

Finstad’s first vote in Congress was against the Inflation Reduction Act, which seeks to lower health care and prescription drug prices, including by allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies and capping out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries.[x]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

During his 2022 special election campaign, Finstad advocated for obtaining “control of the border.”[xi] He also called for a “workforce needs-based” immigration system and said, “Immigration is a foundation of our country but it must be done legally. The uncontrolled situation on the border is dangerous and costly, it is also contributing to the drug crisis in our country.”[xii]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

Finstad supports increasing federal funding for recruiting, retaining, and training law enforcement.[xiii] He opposes legalizing marijuana and is endorsed by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.[xiv] [xv]

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS & ELECTION SECURITY:

Finstad was not included in The Washington Post’s list of election deniers running for office in 2022, though he has reportedly “refused to single out” President Trump for his role in the January 6^th insurrection.[xvi] [xvii] During the Republican primary for the special election in May, Finstad said, “What we saw particularly in 2020 was changing of the rules improperly. Election law should be passed by our elected legislature and signed by our elected governors. Secretaries of state and courts changed the rules in the middle of the game. That should not happen.” He also said he opposes the “federal takeover of elections like Pelosi and the Democrats in Congress are trying to do with HR 1.”[xviii]

EDUCATION:

On his campaign website, Finstad pledges to “fight any government attempt to takeover parents’ responsibility to raise their children.”[xix] In June 2022, he expressed support for the US Supreme Court’s decision in Carson v. Makin that loosened restrictions on public funding for religious schools.[xx]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Finstad has argued the US “should be an energy resource to our allies not dependent on our enemies,” and decried “the Democrats’ failed energy policies.”[xxi] [xxii] He has also called for restarting the Keystone XL pipeline and obtaining energy independence, including through more oil exploration and drilling as well as developing ethanol and biodiesel.[xxiii] [xxiv] [xxv] Finstad voted against the Inflation Reduction Act shortly after being sworn in in August 2022; among other provisions, the bill seeks to expand electric vehicles and boost domestic renewable energy.[xxvi]

GUN SAFETY:

On his campaign website, Finstad pledges to “oppose any liberal efforts” to restrict access to guns and says he “firmly supports” Second Amendment rights.[xxvii] He is endorsed by and has an “A” rating from the NRA.[xxviii]

FOREIGN POLICY:

Finstad’s campaign platform says he supports the “America First” agenda and pledges to “put Americans’ best interest first at home and abroad.”[xxix]