Nurses of the Minnesota Nurses Association today have endorsed five incumbent members of the Minnesota Legislature as “MNA Champions” for their continuous support of MNA issues and partnership with nurses.
To be endorsed as an MNA Champion, candidates must have demonstrated exceptional commitment to MNA priorities such as support for mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios specific to various units in hospitals, as well as a commitment to fight off efforts to weaken Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) and Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST).
The candidates endorsed as MNA Champions for their commitment to these priority issues are Pete Johnson (HD 8A); Emma Greenman (HD 63B); Jen McEwen (SD 8); John Hoffman (SD 34); and Lindsey Port (SD 55).
About the MNA Champion Endorsed Candidates
- Pete Johnson, HD 8A: As an author of MNA’s staffing ratio bill, the Quality Patient Care Act, Johnson used his voice to raise awareness on the need to set mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios specific to various units in hospitals. Johnson, a firefighter and union leader, worked hard to advocate for the issue in the House Labor committee and on the Minnesota House floor.
- Emma Greenman, HD 63B: As co-author on the Quality Patient Care Act, Greenman is deeply invested in her work with MNA on anti-corporatization of healthcare legislation. Greenman serves as a member of the House Labor Committee, and was instrumental in fighting efforts to weaken Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) as well as pushing forward break law changes that passed.
- Jen McEwen, SD 8: As Chair of the Senate Labor Committee, McEwen has been an ardent champion of nurses in the Minnesota Senate, including her leadership to secure a hearing in March 2025 for the Quality Patient Care Act. McEwen was among the strongest opponents of efforts to undermine or weaken Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML), update break laws, and the noncompete ban passed in 2023.
- John Hoffman, SD 34: Hoffman, co-author of the Quality Patient Care Act, has consistently used his platform to hold hospital systems accountable. Hoffman also worked extensively with MNA on nurse licensure issues while remaining a strong opponent of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Hoffman also has stood firmly with labor in opposing efforts to weaken Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML).
- Lindsey Port, SD 55: Port, having served as the lead Senate author of the Quality Patient Care Act, continues to be a vocal advocate for nurses throughout the legislative session. Port stands firm as a member of the Senate Rules Committee. She also chairs the Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Security, which focused on harmful impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on health premiums and rural health systems.
Nurses Care, Nurses Vote
In working to support MNA-endorsed candidates, nurses will encourage fellow members and the voting public to support those who will uphold their commitment to put healthcare workers and patients before the profit-seeking policies of healthcare executives. Nurse efforts to elect endorsed candidates through phone and text-banking, door-knocking, digital advertisements and more will focus on candidate support for MNA priorities like Quality Patient Care Act and other pledged positions.
MNA endorsement recommendations are based on the record of candidates, as well as candidate questionnaires and interviews conducted by nurse members with candidates when necessary; these recommendations are then approved by the MNA Political Committee and Board of Directors, an elected body of nurse members. Additional information on the MNA endorsement process and on endorsed candidates can be found at nursescarenursesvote.com.
