SAINT PAUL, Minn – (May 27, 2026) – Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association announced the endorsement of 9 candidates for the Minnesota House and Senate. These candidates are recognized for their commitment to partnering with nurses to make progress on key issues that impact nurses, patients, and communities.
To be endorsed by nurses, candidates must demonstrate commitment to MNA priorities, including the implementation of safe staffing in hospitals, single-payer healthcare, opposition to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), combatting increased corporatization and consolidation in healthcare as well as supporting and strengthening the rights of all workers seeking a collective voice for dignity and respect in the workplace.
MNA Endorsed Candidates
- Abdi Daisane, HD 14A: Daisane is seeking a first term in House District 14A. He firmly supports safe staffing ratios and financial accountability for hospitals. Daisane also opposes the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), and supports strong labor laws and protections against Artificial Intelligence (AI) threats to the nursing workforce.
- Zach Dorholt, HD 14B: Dorholt is running to represent House District 14B. This is his second MNA endorsement, as Dorholt was previously supported by nurses when he represented HD 14B from 2013 to 2015. Dorholt expressed his support for staffing ratio legislation, his willingness to learn more about nurses’ experiences on the job, and shared nurses’ concerns of patients slipping through the cracks of the healthcare system without universal healthcare. Dorholt says he will support workers and patients against hospital mergers and acquisitions.
- Darci Smith, HD 37A: Smith is running for a first term in House District 37A. Smith supports MNA’s staffing legislation and is committed to fighting against the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), if elected. Additionally, Smith expressed the need for strong labor rights and protections against the threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking over patient care.
- Aisha Elmquist, HD 40A: Elmquist is running for a first term in House District 40A. Elmquist is committed to supporting MNA’s staffing legislation and understands the need to protect both Minnesota’s high standards of care and labor rights. Elmquist also supports stronger transparency laws for corporate mergers and acquisitions, as well as limiting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare settings.
- Christos Jensen, HD 52A: Jensen is running for a first term in House District 52A. Jensen supports ratios being a standard of practice and is calling for stronger protections for healthcare workers. Jensen believes Artificial Intelligence (AI) should be a support tool, not a decision-maker in patient care—and not replace healthcare workers. Additionally, Jensen supports keeping care local and firmly opposes the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
- Hunter Cantrell, HD 55B: Cantrell is running for a second term to represent House District 55B. Cantrell has proven to be a strong pro-labor candidate. Most recently, Cantrell co-authored MNA staffing legislation as well as legislation for the MNA-supported conversion therapy ban. Cantrell opposes hospital mergers, closures and reductions in services. Additionally, Cantrell opposes Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
- Kristy Janigo, SD 37: Janigo is running for a first term in Senate District 37. Janigo supports MNA’s staffing legislation and single-payer healthcare. She also aligns with MNA in her opposition to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), believing it to be a union-busting tactic.
- Liz Reyer, SD 52: Reyer is running for a first term in Senate District 52, after serving 3 prior terms in the Minnesota House. While in the House, Reyer authored and supported key legislation including the Quality Patient Care Act and served as the House author in 2026 for the Minnesota Health Plan bill. Reyer supports the Department of Health consistently tracking staffing data and also believes there must be stronger legislation against hospital mergers and acquisitions. Reyer opposes any Artificial Intelligence (AI) misuse in healthcare settings as decision-makers.
- Paul Cumings, SD 53: Cumings is running for a first term in Senate District 53. As a former union member, Cumings is pro-labor. Cumings supports more regulation for hospital mergers and acquisitions as well as ratios and stronger accountability for hospital executives. Cumings also opposes Artificial Intelligence (AI) in patient assessment and expressed concern about its reliability as well as the future role it will play in healthcare.
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.
Over the next few months, MNA will continue screening candidates with additional announcements to come. More information on the MNA endorsement process can be found at nursescarenursesvote.com.
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