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is the DFL Rural Caucus endorsed candidate running for in Back Chris Ford State Senate District 32 Blaine, MN I am a retired firefighter with 21 years of dedicated service, and 13 years as a Fire Captain. As a Captain, the most important thing I taught was to stay calm, and work together when we’ve got a fire to put out. This is the kind of mentality I will bring with me to the State Senate. Now, I have the honor of being a paraprofessional at Blaine High School, where I get the opportunity to help educate future generations. I also serve as a Blaine City Council Member where I help lead efforts to foster safer, healthier, and more affordable communities, and also work to restore accountability in government. I’m proud of my years of service and dedication to our communities and our neighbors. chrisfordformn@gmail.com Donate Website

2026 Endorsed Candidates Click Here to Find Your District Steve Simon Secretary of State Hopkins, MN Read More Keith Ellison Attorney General Minneapolis, MN Read More Jake Johnson U.S. House District 1 Rochester, MN Read More Matt Little U.S. House District 2 New Market Township, MN Read More Rep. Betty McCollum U.S. House District 4 St. Paul, MN Read More Doug Chapin U.S. House District 6 Hanover, MN Read More Reed Olson State House District 2A Bemidji, MN Read More Emily Thabes State House District 2B Bagley, MN Read More Sen. Grant Hauschild State Senate District 3 Hermantown, MN Read More Aaron Kania State House District 3A Lake Vermillion Township, MN Read More Aaron Schweiger State House District 3B Hermantown, MN Read More Thaddeus Laugisch State House District 4B Moorhead, MN Read More Dan Mitchell State House District 5A Loon Lake, MN Read More Denise Slipy State Senate District 6 Brainerd, MN Read More Samuel Grigsby State House District 6A Grand Rapids, MN Read More Kim McLaughlin State Senate District 7 Hibbing, MN Read More Erin McCabe Ningen State House District 7A Hibbing, MN Read More Jeff Larson State House District 10B Milaca, MN Read More Mary Carlson State Senate District 11 Wrenshall, MN Read More Chris Swanson State House District 11A Cloquet, MN Read More Jack L'Heureux State House District 11B Mora, MN Read More Kari Dorry State Senate District 12 Ortonville, MN Read More Trent Dilks State Senate District 13 St. Joseph, MN Read More Arlis Sayler State House District 13A Eden Valley, MN Read More Sen. Aric Putnam State Senate District 14 St. Cloud, MN Read More Abdi Daisane State House District 14A St. Cloud, MN Read More Zachary Dorholt State House District 14B St. Cloud, MN Read More Andrea Boettger State Senate District 15 New Ulm, MN Read More Keith Klawitter State House District 15B Morgan, MN Read More Julie Henslin State House District 16B Willmar, MN Read More Julie Kelzer State Senate District 17 Norwood Young America, MN Read More Mali Anderson State House District 17A Hutchinson, MN Read More Leah Hanson State House District 18A North Mankato, MN Read More Martha Brown State House District 19A Faribault, MN Read More Zack Meyman State House District 19B Waseca, MN Read More Jason Lohmann State Senate District 20 Zumbrota, MN Read More Rusty Nelson State House District 21A Hendricks, MN Read More Jon Wilson State House District 21B St. James, MN Read More Marisa Ulmen State Senate District 22 Madelia, MN Read More Angie Hanson State Senate District 23 Albert Lea, MN Read More Joe Staloch State House District 23A Albert Lea, MN Read More Heather Holmes State House District 24A Byron, MN Read More Jack Hedin State Senate District 26 Winona, MN Read More Dan Wilson State House District 26A Winona, MN Read More Allie Wolf State House District 26B Spring Valley, MN Read More Vanessa Davenport State House District 27A Big Lake, MN Read More Louis McNutt State Senate District 29 Buffalo, MN Read More Colton Kratky State House District 29B Monticello, MN Read More Joey Smyth State House District 30A Otsego, MN Read More Jen Bloomquist State House District 31B East Bethel, MN Read More Chris Ford State Senate District 32 Blaine, MN Read More Rep. Kari Rehrauer State House District 35B Coon Rapids, MN Read More Sen. Heather Gustafson State Senate District 36 Vadnais Heights, MN Read More Kristy Janigo State Senate District 37 Maple Grove, MN Read More Joe Brothers State House District 48A Victoria, MN Read More Rick Olson State Senate District 54 Prior Lake, MN Read More Mark Legvold State Senate District 58 Northfield, MN Read More

is the DFL Rural Caucus endorsed candidate running for in Back Marisa Ulmen State Senate District 22 Madelia, MN I’m a fifth-generation farmer from Watonwan County Minnesota. I come from a long line of farmers and small business owners. My husband Jim and I own a feed mill and we raise dairy goats, Berkshire hogs, chickens and crops. I first became involved in politics when I was about 10 years old when I attended my first caucus meeting and boy was I hooked! Since then, I’ve served as the Watonwan County DFL chair, been elected to three state conventions and served on numerous senate and district committees. Every year since 2016 Minnesota has lost 500 family farms. We haven’t lost acreage, but we have lost those farmers. 500 farmers very year move out of farming. We all know that small towns revolve around farming. When they move away we lose our schools, hardware stores, grocery stores and our community. Minnesota prides itself on producing quality food for the nation and the world. We need a mix of large and small farmers. In 2023 Minnesota House passed an agriculture budget of 60 million dollars. The Republican Senate cut it down to 7.5 Million and our current House Representative, Jeremy Munson still didn’t vote for it. There is a good safety net for crop farmers but not for livestock farmers. When farmers lost everything to Avian Flu there was no safely net for them. It was mostly, “gee that’s too bad, hope it goes well with your bankruptcy”. Hog farmers are constantly dealing with PRRS getting into their herds. There’s no safety net for that either. So when you roast your turkey this fall, realize that those farmers who raised the turkeys worked 7 days a week to provide you with that turkey without a safety net. The Democratic Rural Voice hasn’t been heard in a long time. We need a government for ALL of us. We need a strong voice for other rural interests too. Education, including trade schools, entrepreneurship, economic development, health care, climate, food deserts… the list goes on. Rural Minnesota’s communities need a voice. I want to be that voice. I want to be the conduit for greater Minnesota to the Metro area. We can’t expect government to know what we need if we don’t tell them. mnsenate22@gmail.com Donate Website

The mission of the DFL Rural Caucus is to embody and strengthen the relationship between Minnesota’s Rural Community and the DFL Party. Home: Welcome STAND UP AND JOIN US IN Fighting for Rural Minnesotans Become a Member Take Action Donate Welcome to the DFL Rural Caucus The DFL Rural Caucus delivers DFL values in rural communities - comprehensive health care for working families, world-class K-12/pre-K education, reproductive rights, support for beginning and family farmers, support for vital main street businesses, and border-to-border broadband. We advance these values through voter engagement, outreach, and work to elect DFL candidates supporting Rural Minnesota priorities. Our Caucus Our Leaders Legislative Action Voter Info Upcoming Events Multiple Dates 27 days to the event DFL Rural Caucus Membership Meetings Thu, Jul 09 Virtual Zoom Event Learn more Multiple Dates 27 days to the event DFL Rural Caucus Executive Committee Meeting Thu, Jul 09 Virtual Meeting Learn more Get Involved Get involved and make a difference in rural Minnesota by volunteering, canvassing, attending events, or even considering running for office. The more rural Democrats actively engage and participate, the stronger and more effective our movement becomes. Join us and let's shape the future of our communities together. Take Action Support the Rural Caucus Take Action Register to vote in time for Election Day Button Take Action Stay in the loop with updates and info Take Action Become a member of the Rural Caucus THE ACTION CENTER See Every Way to Get Involved Take Action Get the Latest KEEP UP WITH THE RURAL CAUCUS Stay informed with all the Latest News and social activity on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram . 2026 Annual Meeting Dec 8, 2025 2 min read Resolutions 2026, Commit to Caucus! Dec 4, 2025 1 min read Thank You, Senator Tina Smith, for Being a Champion for Rural Minnesota! Feb 18, 2025 1 min read A Message of Gratitude from the DFL Rural Caucus Nov 20, 2024 1 min read 2024 Rural Caucus Resolutions Feb 22, 2024 1 min read Rural Caucus Handouts Dec 9, 2023 1 min read Visit the News Center

2024 Endorsed Candidates Kamala Harris & Tim Walz President & Vice President Oakland, CA & Mankato, MN Learn More Amy Klobuchar U.S. Senate Plymouth, Minnesota. Learn More Rachel Bohman U.S. House of Representatives Congressional District 1 Rochester, Minnesota Learn More Angie Craig U.S. House of Representatives Congressional District 2 Eagan, Minnesota Learn More Kelly Morrison U.S. House of Representatives Congressional District 3 Deephaven, Minnesota Learn More Jeanne Hendricks U.S. House of Representatives Congressional District 6 Learn More AJ (John) Peters U.S. House of Representatives Congressional District 7 Ward Township, Minnesota Learn More Jen Schultz U.S. House of Representatives Congressional District 8 Duluth, Minnesota Learn More James Sceville MN House of Representatives House District 1A Thief River Falls, Minnesota Learn More Reed Olson MN House of Representatives House District 2A Bemidji, Minnesota Learn More Harley Droba MN House of Representatives House District 3A International Falls, Minnesota Learn More Mark Munger MN House of Representatives House District 3B Fredenberg Township, Minnesota Learn More Rep. Heather Keeler MN House of Representatives House District 4A Moorhead, Minnesota Learn More Thaddeus Laugisch MN House of Representatives House District 4B Kragnes, Minnesota Learn More Brian M Hobson MN House of Representatives House District 5A Park Rapids, Minnesota Learn More Lorrie Janatopoulos MN House of Representatives House District 7B Heikkala Lake UO, Minnesota Learn More Pete Johnson MN House of Representatives House District 8A Duluth, Minnesota Learn More Rep. Alicia “Liish” Kozlowski MN House of Representatives House District 8B Duluth, Minnesota Learn More Michael Ziomko MN House of Representatives House District 9A Fergus Falls, Minnesota Learn More Pete Radosevich MN House of Representatives House District 11A Cloquet, Minnesota Learn More Cindy Aho MN House of Representatives House District 13A Cold Spring, Minnesota Learn More Dusty Bolstad MN House of Representatives House District 13B Sartell, Minnesota Learn More Abdi Daisane MN House of Representatives House District 14A St. Cloud, Minnesota Learn More Rep. Dan Wolgamott MN House of Representatives House District 14B St. Cloud, Minnesota Learn More Anthony Studemann MN House of Representatives House District 15A Marshall, Minnesota Learn More Tom Kuster MN House of Representatives House District 15B New Ulm, Minnesota Learn More Josiah Ampian MN House of Representatives House District 16B New London, Minnesota Learn More Jennifer Nuesse MN House of Representatives House District 17B Arlington, Minnesota Learn More Rep. Jeff Brand MN House of Representatives House District 18A St. Peter, Minnesota Learn More Rep. Luke Frederick MN House of Representatives House District 18B Mankato, Minnesota Learn More Jessica Navarro MN House of Representatives House District 19A Faribault, Minnesota Learn More Edelgard Fernandez Mejia MN House of Representatives House District 19B Owatonna, Minnesota Learn More Heather Arndt MN House of Representatives House District 20A Belle Creek Township, Minnesota Learn More Michael Hutchinson MN House of Representatives House District 20B Zumbrota, Minnesota Learn More Jon Wilson MN House of Representatives House District 21B St. James, Minnesota Learn More Marisa Ulmen MN House of Representatives House District 22A Fieldon Township, Minnesota Learn More Sara Nett-Torgrimson MN House of Representatives House District 22B Mankato Township, Minnesota Learn More Joe Staloch MN House of Representatives House District 23A Albert Lea, Minnesota Learn More Heather Holmes MN House of Representatives House District 24A Byron, Minnesota Learn More Sarah Kruger MN House of Representatives House District District 26A Winona, Minnesota Learn More Allie Wolf MN House of Representatives House District 26B Spring Valley, Minnesota Learn More Colton Kratky MN House of Representatives House District 29B Monticello, Minnesota Learn More Sonja Buckmeier MN House of Representatives House District 30A St. Michael, Minnesota Learn More Paul Bolin MN House of Representatives House District 30B Otsego, Minnesota Learn More Kari Rehrauer MN House of Representatives House District 35B Coon Rapids, Minnesota Learn More Rep. Lucy Rehm MN House of Representatives House District 48B Chanhassen, Minnesota Learn More Jean Lee MN House of Representatives House District 54B Learn More Veda Kanitz MN House of Representatives House District 57A Lakeville, Minnesota Learn More Rep. Kristi Pursell MN House of Representatives House District 58A Northfield, Minnesota Learn More Ian English MN House of Representatives House District 58B Farmington, Minnesota Learn More

is the DFL Rural Caucus endorsed candidate running for in Back Rick Olson State Senate District 54 Prior Lake, MN Minnesota resident 1991-98, 2014 – now Experience: Michigan State Representative, 2011-12 K-12 Public School Business Manager – 10+ Years Private Business Manager – 15 Years Global Minnesota Presenter of Great Decisions Series on Foreign Policy—2019 to present World traveler – visited 49 countries Corn Grower Cooperative President—1994-96 Certified Financial Planner – 1984-89 Attorney, Washington Governor’s Office – 1983-84 Attorney, Washington State Legislature – 1981-83 Agricultural Economist – 1970-75 Education: Stanford Law School Graduate, 1978 Michigan State University Graduate, 1970 Completed coursework for Ph.D. in K-12 Education Administration (ABD) Completed coursework for Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics (ABD) rick@rickformn.com Donate Website

is the DFL Rural Caucus endorsed candidate running for in Back Julie Kelzer State Senate District 17 Norwood Young America, MN Hi, my name is Julie Kelzer, I'm a small business owner from Norwood Young America. A mother of two, who started working in customer service at 14, including managing beauty salons. During the COVID epidemic, I started a home-based cleaning business in order to supervise the education of her children, one of whom had special needs. My key priorities, include: Affordable health care with greater access to specialists and mental healthcare in rural Minnesota. Strengthening and restoring cuts to education. Stronger locally owned farm economy, with fair markets and anti-trust protections. Revise regulations on small businesses to ensure success. Revise regulations on home based daycares and centers to help lower costs. I will work for the people and not corporate interests. The state needs to overhaul the budget to fund top priorities, especially with the federal funding cuts. Raising taxes is not a solution the people can afford. I want to deliver for the people, we all deserve better. contact@juliekelzer4mnsenate.com Donate Website

is the DFL Rural Caucus endorsed candidate running for in Back Erin McCabe Ningen State House District 7A Hibbing, MN I grew up and cut my political teeth on Minnesota's Iron Range, which shaped my commitment to hard-working families and public service. I studied history and political science at Bemidji State University. I gained invaluable insight into effective leadership working for trusted Minnesota leaders like Governor Rudy Perpich, Congressman Jim Oberstar, and Senator Paul Wellstone. During this time, I had the chance to serve in Minnesota state government when I was appointed by the governor to serve two terms on the Minnesota Community College Board and one term on the Minnesota State University Board. Today, my life remains centered on serving our community. Working overnights as a 988 crisis call specialist and part-time as a restaurant server keeps me directly connected to the everyday struggles of working families. I am running for the House of Representatives to bring common sense, grounded leadership to District 7A. From protecting our public schools and local industries to exploring innovative energy solutions for our abandoned mine pits, I will fight for a prosperous future that lifts up everyone in Northern Minnesota. teamerin7a@gmail.com Donate Website

is the DFL Rural Caucus endorsed candidate running for in Back Joe Brothers State House District 48A Victoria, MN My name is Joe Brothers and I started working at a young age delivering newspapers in my hometown. I graduated from high school, then college, married the love of my life and my best friend, taught for 11 years, coached football and basketball, and started a family. When our third child was born and the costs of day care were as much as or more than my paycheck, my wife and I discussed and decided to have me become a stay-at-home dad. I stayed home for five years while our children were young and then, once our youngest started kindergarten, I started working for Wells Fargo. While at Wells Fargo, I rose through the company to become a Vice President in the Home Mortgage division. I will bring the experiences of my life and work plus the experiences of others to the State Capitol in St. Paul to solve the problems facing the state of Minnesota. I'm also connecting, listening, learning, and remaining focused on the issues that matter the most to the people of Waconia, Victoria, Chaska, Cologne, Mayer, and the surrounding townships. I'm also working to make St. Paul look more like Carver County and rural Minnesota. I have three adult children and I live in the small town of Victoria. I absolutely love the beautiful downtown with the bike path running over the old railroad bed and Carver Park Reserve within minutes. I like hearing the families and kids playing, the swans, cranes, geese, ducks, and, the occasional pheasant, flying, and the birds chirping. I love to hunt, fish, hike, cross country and downhill ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, enjoy the lakes in the summer, and drive around rural Minnesota. I enjoy sporting clays, trap, and skeet as well as shooting guns at shooting ranges. I'm at home at a rodeo, a tractor pull, a sprint car race, a farmers market, on a lake, at a theater performance, or at an art fair. On certain days, when the wind is blowing just right, he can smell the manure from the dairy farm across the road while walking around his neighborhood with the family dog, Bentley. It reminds him of home and brings back fond memories from growing up in Montana. joebrothersformnhouse@gmail.com Donate Website

is the DFL Rural Caucus endorsed candidate running for in Back Arlis Sayler State House District 13A Eden Valley, MN I have been married over 45 years. We have 4 grown children and 7 grand children. I grew up in North Dakota on two different Dairy Farms. After working in the oilfields for 2 years after high school, I got my agricultural engineering degree at NDSU. I worked for Cargill for 35 years and during that time my MBA was achieved. I am retired but running because of the work that must be done to build back a strong future for rural Minnesota in district 13A. admin@arlisformn.com Donate Website

is the DFL Rural Caucus endorsed candidate running for in Back Colton Kratky State House District 29B Monticello, MN Colton Kratky lives in Monticello with his wife and son. He was in the Marine Corps and is currently a Security DevOps Engineer. He is ready to stand up for our constitution, fight to take care of those in need, protect the environment, and love all of our neighbors. colton@kratky4mn.com Donate Website

is the DFL Rural Caucus endorsed candidate running for in Back Jack Hedin State Senate District 26 Winona, MN Jack Hedin has been a vegetable farmer his entire adult life. Hedin founded Featherstone Farm with his family in 1994, while a resident of rural Winona County. The farm grew from 3 rented acres servicing two farmers markets, to its current scale of 140 acres of vegetables, 50 seasonal employees, and distribution throughout the upper Midwest. Featherstone Farm moved to rural Fillmore County in 2008 following a devastating flood the previous year. Hedin became a vocal advocate on issues of agriculture and the environment in the early 2000s, writing and lobbying on topics from federal farm policy and land use to climate change and immigration. He and Jenni McHugh raised 3 boys on and around the farm; all 3 graduated from Winona Area Public Schools (WAPS). Hedin retired from active management of the farm business in 2025, turning operations over to a team of managers. Hedin was elected to the (WAPS) board in 2024. jack@jackhedin.org Donate Website