Meet Brad
4th Generation Farmer
As a 4th-generation farmer, Brad Finstad knows the true meaning of hard work. He will always stand strong for the family farmers who feed our nation and fuel our economy.
PROUD FAMILY MAN
A husband and father of seven, Brad Finstad is fighting to leave our country better than he found it for his children and yours.
Committed To Service
Brad Finstad has dedicated his career to fighting for the people of Minnesota and their families.
MY PLEDGE TO YOU
I am running for re-election to Congress because Washington, D.C., sorely needs some Midwestern common sense, and southern Minnesotans deserve a representative who will work hard to advance our priorities.
That’s what I will bring to our nation’s capital every single day. I grew up in our rural communities, and I still help to operate my family farm. I will always apply that experience in D.C. for the benefit of the other great families who live here.
Washington has plenty of folks focused on “going viral” or getting the next 30-second TV soundbite. I’m there to make a positive impact for Minnesotans by helping make our neighborhoods safer, our jobs more secure, our schools better, our government programs more effective, and our tax burdens lighter.
Above all, I will do everything in my power to leave things better than we found them for the next generation.
The Origin
Deep Brown County Roots
As a fourth-generation Brown County farmer, he learned early on that agriculture is the backbone of the American economy. He didn't just inherit a farm; he studied the science and community behind it, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education with an emphasis in Rural Leadership Development from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. He began as an Area Director for the Minnesota Farm Bureau, where he worked directly with real people in actual agricultural production.
The Family Foundation
A Promise on the School Bus
The most important alliance of Brad's life didn't happen in a boardroom. It happened on a school bus in the second grade, where he first met his future wife, Jaclyn ("Jackie").
Today, Brad and Jackie are the proud parents of seven children. As a fourth-generation farmer raising the fifth generation, Brad’s political philosophy is deeply anchored in his kitchen table. He and Jackie operate an agricultural business in New Ulm, working alongside extended family members to keep their generational family farm thriving. For Brad, creating safe neighborhoods, strong schools, and abundant opportunities isn't a political talking point; it is a necessity for his own seven kids.
The Crucible
From the Fields to the Statehouse
Brad’s career is a blueprint of rural advocacy. He began as an Area Director for the Minnesota Farm Bureau and served as an agricultural policy advisor to U.S. Representative Mark Kennedy.
In 2002, his community sent him to the Minnesota House of Representatives, where he served three terms (2003–2009) fighting for rural interests on statewide agricultural committees. He later took the helm as the CEO and President of the Center for Rural Policy and Development, and served as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.
In 2017, President Donald Trump recognized Brad's relentless advocacy and appointed him as the State Director for USDA Rural Development in Minnesota. In this role, he delivered actual results: expanding high-speed internet, supporting rural manufacturing, improving healthcare access, and driving business development across rural Minnesota.
The Call
Taking Midwestern Common Sense to Washington
When Minnesota's 1st Congressional District seat opened following the passing of Congressman Jim Hagedorn, Brad stepped into the arena. He won the special election on August 9, 2022, and was sworn into Congress three days later with his family by his side.
Brad ran on a simple premise: Washington, D.C. sorely needs Midwestern common sense. He rejects the D.C. culture of "going viral" and chasing 30-second soundbites, focusing instead on delivering tangible relief driving down costs for working families facing record-high inflation. He currently serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, House Committee on Small Business, and the House Armed Services Committee, ensuring that rural communities always have a seat at the table.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives write and vote on federal laws, including the federal budget. Each represents one district and serves a two-year term. Tax bills must start in the House, only the House can impeach federal officials, and members oversee federal agencies through their committees.