Fighting for You.
John Nagel is a proven leader whose integrity and commitment to Minnesota are reflected in his 30-year career with the State Patrol.
A lifelong resident of Saint Louis Park, John still lives in the home his grandfather built, a testament to his deep roots in the community he hopes to represent in Washington. Throughout his life, John has made tough calls in high-stakes environments. Now, he is stepping up once more to serve his neighbors, his city, and his country.
Background
John Nagel is running for Congress to bring back safety, sanity, and service, and to restore Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs of Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District to the pride of the North. He is running because working families are being squeezed while our streets grow less safe. The current Democrat trend toward socialist policies rooted in Marxist ideals is dangerous and must be reversed. John is running because Minnesotans deserve a representative who puts people before politics.
Born to a hardworking middle-class family, John learned early the values of compassion, faith, service, and hard work. His grandfather, a volunteer firefighter in Golden Valley, sparked John’s passion for public service by taking him on visits to the fire station as a child. Those visits planted the seed for a lifelong career spent protecting Minnesotans.
A devoted husband to Connie since 1988, a proud father of two, and a recent grandfather, John’s life is firmly grounded in faith, family, and public service.
While pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas, John interned with the Edina Police and rode along with officers in Saint Louis Park. His dedication to service led him to the Minnesota State Patrol Academy in 1981. As a State Trooper, John patrolled the highways of Hennepin County and also worked as a safety consultant for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. His leadership and trustworthiness earned him assignments on the Governor’s security detail and training opportunities with the FBI and U.S. Secret Service.
Service Record
John rose to the rank of Sergeant at the State Patrol Training Academy, where he oversaw traffic safety programs and served as a resource for schools across Minnesota. He helped train first responders through Minnesotans for Safe Driving and played a key role in expanding public safety education statewide. His service earned him the Minnesota State Patrol’s Meritorious Service Award, Employee of the Year honors, and multiple community service awards for his outreach to children’s hospitals and shelters.
John also showed extraordinary courage in the field. He once climbed onto a freeway sign to rescue a suicidal individual, and another time used a PIT maneuver to stop a fleeing bank robbery suspect during a high-speed pursuit.
After retiring as a Field Lieutenant in 2011, John never stopped serving. He taught defensive driving and college courses on terrorism and world governments, while also serving on the security team for the Minnesota Twins. He also became a Minnesota DNR Youth Firearm Instructor, teaching safety, ethics, and survival skills to the next generation of outdoorsmen.
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.