Brad Finstad: US House District 1

Brad Finstad

Brad Finstad

1.) What is your background and why are you running for MN First Congressional District?

I’m a fourth-generation corn and soybean farmer from the New Ulm area and I am honored to be raising seven kids with my wife, Jackie, to be that fifth generation. Currently, I represent Minnesota’s First Congressional District in Congress and am a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. In Congress, I have had the pleasure of supporting legislation to support our military and our veterans, strengthen our agricultural industry, promote rural manufacturing, and so much more. I believe that I am the best candidate for this seat because as s a lifelong southern Minnesotan and I have made it my mission to leave my backyard better than the way I found it. Unfortunately, right now, I don’t believe we are in a position where we can honestly look in the mirror and say that is what we are doing, and I would like to change that.

2.) What is the top issue facing the MN First Congressional District?

As I travel across southern Minnesota, the top issues that I hear about are the kitchen table, pocketbook issues that are affecting everyone. Southern Minnesotans experience it every day when they go to the grocery store or to fill up their gas tanks, that receipt looks a lot different than it did just four years ago. There are several ways that we can begin to address this situation that begins with bringing fiscal sanity back to Washington, D.C. The last four years have seen record spending that has artificially pumped money into our economy, and we are now really bearing the consequences of those decisions. By reigning in our government spending and putting money back in the pockets of American citizens – beginning with reauthorizing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – we can get our economy back on track.

3.) If elected, what will you top goal be for this term?

In addition to getting a strong farm bill passed. We have to restore a strong economic environment in our country. That is making sure to renew the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act so we don’t see tax increases. It is getting overregulation in check and expanding production and manufacturing here in the United States. It is getting us back to an America first energy policy that keeps fuel and electric costs down. It is ending the constant growth of government spending that drives up inflation.

4.) The Farm Bill expired without an extension. How do we ensure the passage of future Farm Bills? What would your ideal Farm Bill look like?

The Farm Bill that passed with bi-partisan support out of the House Agriculture Committee is a good bill. We ensure the passage of this farm bill and those in the future by understanding that it is never going to be anyone’s ideal farm bill. We have to make sure it is balanced for the needs of our country as a whole. I know we passed a strong and effective Farm Bill written by farmers, for farmers. The House Agriculture Committee did its job by passing a bipartisan Farm Bill, yet the Senate is still operating off of back-of-the-napkin proposals. If re-elected, I intend to finish the job that we started here in the House and bring critical updates to our rural and agricultural communities.

5.) With Congress heavily divided along party lines, how do avoid further legislative gridlock?

Congress is likely to be nearly evenly divided again. I will continue to work with anyone who will support common sense solutions to help average Americans. I have worked with Republicans and Democrats on many bills and initiatives and will continue to do so. This seat will always belong to the people of southern Minnesota and I will always work for them.