Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association have announced the endorsement of 70 candidates for the Minnesota House and Senate. These candidates are recognized for their collaboration with nurses and are expected to make continued progress on key issues in labor, nursing, and healthcare.
To be endorsed by nurses, candidates must demonstrate commitment to MNA’s goals, which include supporting safe staffing levels in hospitals, the Minnesota Health Plan, and strengthening labor rights in addition to opposing further corporatization in healthcare, which include threats of Artificial Intelligence (AI), mergers and consolidations plus the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
Endorsed “MNA Advocates”
To be endorsed as an “MNA Advocate”, incumbent members of the Minnesota Legislature must demonstrate an exceptional track record of leadership on nurse priorities. Advocates have demonstrated sustained commitment by meeting at least four of MNA’s endorsement criteria.
- Rob Kupec, SD 04: Incumbent Rob Kupec played a critical part in keeping the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) off the Senate floor. He serves on both the Senate Health & Human Services and Labor committees as a trusted ally to passing worker friendly legislation. He has been a consistent advocate for Minnesota nurses, patients and working families as a co-author of MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act and the lead author of the 2024 hospital closures transparency bill. Senator Kupec is a lifelong supporter of organized labor and trusted voice on committees that matter most.
- Liz Boldon, SD 25: Liz Boldon brings firsthand experience as a registered nurse to the Minnesota Senate giving her a unique understanding of the challenges facing patients and healthcare workers. While serving on the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, Boldon has been a strong advocate for safe staffing, affordable healthcare and policies that strengthen Minnesota’s healthcare workforce while being a critical ally of nurses in opposing the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). She was a co-author on Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) and prioritizes the passing of the Minnesota Health Plan. Boldon continues to fight for high-quality patient care and a healthcare system that puts people before profits.
- Erin Maye Quade, SD 56: MNA has endorsed Erin Maye Quade in every race she has appeared on the ballot. She has built a reputation as a fearless advocate for workers’ rights and accessible healthcare. Throughout her time in the Legislature, she has been a consistent advocate of MNA priorities, supporting safe staffing and speaking out against the Nurse Licensure Compact as well as rallying against the lack of worker protections from Artificial Intelligence (AI) surveillance. Senator Maye Quade’s commitment to protecting frontline workers and holding corporations accountable has made her a strong ally for nurses.
- Omar Fateh, SD 62: Omar Fateh has consistently fought to expand opportunities for working families through stronger labor protections, affordable healthcare and investments in Minnesota communities. He is committed to working to strengthen Minnesota labor laws and to expand affordable healthcare access to all Minnesotans in the next legislative session. Senator Fateh is a strong and consistent supporter of MNA issues such as safe staffing and healthcare for all and opposes the Nurse License Compact (NLC).
- Liish Kozlowski, HD 08B: Liish Kozlowski is a dedicated advocate for nurses, workers and northern Minnesota communities. Kozlowski serves on the House Labor Committee and has been a consistent supporter of pro-worker, pro-nurse and pro-union legislation. Kozlowski has co-authored MNA legislation including the Quality Patient Care Act, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with nurses during contract campaigns, strikes and legislative fights to improve patient care. Their commitment to equity, labor rights and accessible healthcare continues to make them a valued partner for Minnesota nurses.
- Matt Norris, HD 32B: MNA has worked closely with Matt Norris to strengthen healthcare access and protect vital community hospitals, including Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). Norris serves as the Co-Vice Chair of Taxes and sits on the Housing Finance and Policy and Human Services Finance Policy committees. He worked closely with MNA during the 2026 legislative session to secure funding to keep HCMC open. In 2025, Representative Norris signed onto MNA’s staffing legislation, the Quality Patient Care Act. Norris has proven his commitment to supporting safe staffing and working families to ensure patients receive the quality care they deserve.
- Robert Bierman, HD 56A: Bierman was first elected in 2018 and has been endorsed by MNA in every election because of his strong commitment to healthcare. Bierman currently serves as the DFL Co-Chair of the Health Finance and Policy Committee and has been one of Minnesota nurses’ strongest champions at the Capitol. He has advanced legislation to increase oversight of healthcare mergers, expand access to affordable healthcare, and strengthen protections for patients and healthcare workers. His longstanding partnership with nurses continues to improve healthcare for communities across Minnesota.
- Kristi Pursell, HD 58A: Kristi Pursell is a lifelong organizer who believes strong communities are built through collective action and worker empowerment. She has consistently supported MNA legislation as a co-author of the Quality Patient Care Act. Pursell is committed to expanding access to affordable healthcare for all Minnesotans, and to strengthening protections for frontline healthcare workers. She has been a consistent ally for safe staffing, single-payer healthcare and additional MNA legislative priorities. Pursell understands that supporting nurses means building healthier communities for everyone.
- Leigh Finke, HD 66A: Leigh Finke has been a dedicated advocate for nurses, workers, and patients throughout her time in the legislature. As a strong supporter of safe staffing legislation, healthcare reform and workers’ rights, she has signed on as a co-author to MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act, joined MNA picket lines and showed strong public support for nurses’ fight for safe staffing legislation. Her commitment to equity, public health, and labor rights makes her a trusted partner for frontline healthcare workers.
Endorsed “MNA Supporters”
To be endorsed as an “MNA Supporter”, incumbent members of the Minnesota Legislature must have shown meaningful partnership with nurses by meeting at least two of MNA’s endorsement criteria. Supporters have demonstrated they are willing to work alongside frontline nurses to improve healthcare policy and protect Minnesota patients.
- Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, SD 47: Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger has built her public service around supporting working families and strengthening Minnesota’s healthcare system. She is the daughter of a nurse and has long stood with frontline caregivers and continues to advocate for safe staffing, affordable healthcare and stronger labor protections. Her commitment to public service and healthcare makes her a valued partner for nurses as she supports safe staffing and opposes the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
- Scott Dibble, SD 61: Scott Dibble has spent decades fighting for civil rights and worker rights. With his role on the Senate Taxes Committee, Dibble was instrumental in securing the funding necessary to keep HCMC open during the 2026 legislative session and was a strong ally to help lift up HCMC’s nurses’ stories and concerns as leadership pulled together the final bill. He is a strong supporter of healthcare for all and safe staffing ratios, and he firmly opposes right-to-work and the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
- Clare Oumou Verbeten, SD 66: In her role on the Senate Labor Committee, Clare Oumou Verbeten has been a strong and dedicated ally, supporting safe staffing ratios, single-payer healthcare and firmly opposing the Nurse Licensure Compact and right-to-work. Oumou Verbeten has consistently aligned with healthcare workers and labor group to advocate for systemic reforms that address underlying racial disparities and resource gaps in maternal health, and championing policies to address systemic burnout and understaffing in hospitals.
- Andy Smith, HD 25B: As the author of the hospital closures bill in 2024, Andy Smith has been a strong advocate for providing workers and communities with greater transparency when hospitals consolidate or close. Currently, Smith co-chairs the Minnesota Health Plan Caucus and has been a genuine partner on healthcare reform. His focus remains on healthcare reform, taxing the wealthy and building thriving communities which deeply align with MNA’s mission.
- Josiah Hill, HD 33B: Josiah Hill is a long-serving president of the St. Croix Education Association, a union leader to his core, and it shows in how he has shown up for MNA—walking picket lines with nurses, voting consistently for MNA’s legislative priorities and always maintaining an open-door policy at the Capitol. He has been a supporter of safe staffing, signing on as a co-author to MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act, supporting single payer healthcare and is strongly opposed to the Nurse Licensure Compact and right-to-work.
- Kari Rehrauer, HD 35B: A former middle school biology teacher with over 20 years in the classroom, Kari Rehrauer came to the legislature with deep roots in public service. She has shown her commitment to nurses by signing onto our staffing ratio legislation, the Quality Patient Care Act. Rehrauer’s priorities are strengthening public education, improving affordability including healthcare, preventing gun violence, and protecting reproductive freedom, all of which align closely with MNA’s values. She has been previously endorsed by MNA and brings a consistent record of support for nurses and workers in a district where the stakes are high.
- Brion Curran, HD 36B: Brion Curran has been a vocal supporter of MNA issues throughout her time in the legislature, including unemployment insurance for striking workers and as a co-author of MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act. Curran’s priorities strongly align with MNA’s values for affordable healthcare, workers’ rights, reproductive freedom, disability services, environmental justice, and economic security for working families.
- Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley, HD 38A: Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley has been an eager and engaged partner for MNA, meeting with nurses at MNA’s Day on the Hill and working closely with MNA’s legislative team throughout session, including signing on to MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act and the Minnesota Health Plan. She is committed to supporting safe staffing, workforce retention and recruitment as well as workplace safety, affordability, and patient care.
- David Gottfried, HD 40B: In his short time in office, David Gottfried has already demonstrated a proactive partnership with MNA values, helping organize members of his caucus to send a public letter to Essentia Health CEO David Herman in 2025 urging settlement of first contracts with Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and clinic nurses. He is a strong labor ally who supports staffing legislation and unemployment insurance for striking workers.
- Ginny Klevorn, HD 42B: Ginny Klevorn has been a consistent MNA ally and frequently shows support on our picket and strike lines. Klevorn is a co-author of MNA legislation like the Quality Patient Care Act and supports other MNA priorities at the Capitol. She is a fierce advocate for transparency and accountability in healthcare finance and transactions.
- Peter Fischer, HD 44A: Peter Fischer has been a consistent and enthusiastic ally for MNA throughout his time in the legislature, attending picket lines, and meeting with nurses both in-district and at the Capitol. He has co-authored MNA priority legislation including unemployment insurance for striking workers and the Minnesota Health Plan. Fischer is a strong supporter of staffing ratios inside hospitals and has never wavered in his commitment to the labor movement.
- Steve Elkins, HD 50B: Steve Elkins has co-authored numerous pieces of MNA legislation including the hospital closures bill, workplace violence protections and medical debt legislation. Elkins has also been a strong supporter of nurse staffing and workplace violence issues. He has walked picket lines and has been a productive and committed partner on MNA’s legislative agenda, including opposing the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
- Mike Howard, HD 51A: Michael Howard has been a consistent and enthusiastic MNA ally who has previously been endorsed for his work championing the Alex Smith Insulin Affordability Act. Howard has shown up to MNA picket lines and voted in favor of all MNA’s and labor’s legislation during the last biennium. This includes co-authoring the Quality Patient Care Act, legislation on ending junk fees, the Equal Rights Amendment, worker misclassification, closing corporate tax loopholes and medical debt reform.
- Nathan Coulter, HD 51B: Nathan Coulter has been an eager supporter of MNA’s agenda throughout his time in the legislature, including co-authoring MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act. His background in health policy through the Humphrey School gives him a strong foundation for engaging in nurse and healthcare issues.
- Brad Tabke, HD 54A: Brad Tabke is a strong and reliable partner on MNA’s and labor’s legislative priorities, including being a co-author on the Minnesota Health Plan. Tabke has also co-authored key labor bills including unemployment insurance for striking workers and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML).
- Jess Hanson, HD 55A: Jess Hanson has been one of the strongest and loudest advocates for nurses and workers in the legislature; she fully supports safe staffing ratios and single-payer healthcare and opposes any efforts to weaken worker protections. She has also been endorsed as an MNA Advocate in previous elections due to her deep commitment to co-governance on issues impacting the daily lives of nurses and patients.
- John Huot, HD 56B: John Huot is an emergency medical technician and former MNA member, a combination that made him a critical ally this past session in securing the funding needed to keep HCMC open. Huot has joined nurses on picket lines and at MNA Capitol events. He consistently supports safe staffing and views MNA as a continual partner. He has advocated for programs that would cover the cost of nursing education and shows a forward-thinking mindset when it comes to understanding the challenges facing healthcare.
- Dave Pinto, HD 64B: Dave Pinto’s co-chair position on the House Workforce, Labor and Economic Development committee has made him an invaluable ally. He helped fight off attacks to roll back Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) in 2026. Pinto has advocated for updated break law protections in the tied House in 2025, is a co-author of the Minnesota Health Plan and is a trusted ally as the labor committee chair. He is a staunch opponent of the Nurse Licensure Compact and remains deeply committed to advancing the rights of workers and nurses.
Additional MNA Endorsed Candidates
- Aric Putnam, Senate District 14
- Nick Frentz, Senate District 18
- Simon Glaser, Senate District 24
- Chris Ford, Senate District 32
- Susan Pha, Senate District 38
- Mary Kunesh, Senate District 39
- Mike Freiberg, Senate District 43
- Sam Rosemark, Senate District 44
- Ann Johnson Stewart, Senate District 45
- Dan Kessler, Senate District 48
- Krish Subrahmanian, Senate District 49
- Simon Trautmann Cordova, Senate District 51
- Rick Olson, Senate District 54
- Mark Legvold, Senate District 58
- Bobby Joe Champion, Senate District 59
- Doron Clark, Senate District 60
- Reed Olson, House District 02A
- Aaron Kania, House District 03A
- Aaron Schweiger, House District 03B
- Dan Horoshak, House District 07B
- Chris Swanson, House District 11A
- Leah Hanson, House District 18A
- Luke Frederick, House District 18B
- Kim Hicks, House District 25A
- Dan Wilson, House District 26A
- Kristin Bahner, House District 37B
- Cole Birkeland, House District 41A
- Ned Carroll, House District 42A
- Kyrstin Schuette, House District 43A
- Jess Lewis, House District 43B
- Tracey Breazeale, House District 45A
- Larry Kraft, House District 46A
- Shelley Buck, House District 47A
- Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, House District 49B
- Julie Greene, House District 50A
- Mary Frances Clardy, House District 53A
- Rick Hansen, House District 53B
- Brian Cohn, House District 57B
- Mohamud Noor, House District 60B
- Anquam Mahamoud, House District 62B
- Meg Luger Nikolai, House District 64A
- Sebastian Ellefson, House District 65B
Nurses Care, Nurses Vote
MNA endorsements follow screening sessions where nurses pressed the candidates for their commitment to key issues for nurses and patients. Following screening sessions with candidates, recommendations for endorsement were approved by the MNA Political Committee and Board of Directors, both comprised of elected nurse members.
MNA nurses will encourage fellow nurses and the public to elect endorsed candidates in 2026 through phone and text-banking, door knocking, as well as digital advertisements.
More information on the MNA endorsement process can be found at nursescarenursesvote.com.
