MNA Nurse-Endorsed:

2025 CANDIDATES

XP Lee

Xp Lee, HD 34B

Lee stood out to nurses because of his commitment to co-governance, stating that his door will always be open to MNA and that he believes legislation is strongest when informed by those with frontline expertise. He shared personal experiences with the healthcare system and spoke with gratitude about the role nurses played in supporting his family, underscoring his support for safe staffing and his determination to push back against the corporatization of healthcare. Lee further committed to partnering with MNA to advance single-payer healthcare in Minnesota, ensuring that no one is denied care due to inability to pay, and he pledged to oppose the nurse licensure compact to prioritize hiring and retaining nurses within Minnesota communities.

Hemmingson-Jaeger

Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, SD 47​

Nurses endorsed Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger for Senate District 47 because of her strong record on healthcare access and her leadership in addressing consolidation in healthcare.

Nurses also appreciate that she deeply understands the issues nurses face, primarily short staffing, given that her mom and sister-in-law are both nurses.

SBuck-47A

Shelley Buck, HD 47A

Nurses endorsed Shelley Buck for House District 47A because of her support for safe staffing and a healthcare system that puts patients before profit. With a personal understanding of nursing through her mother, she recognizes how often decisions are made without nurse input and has committed to working alongside nurses to address staffing ratios.

Nurses also value her criticism of excessive CEO pay in healthcare, her support for single-payer healthcare, and her broader public health approach, including concern for the long-term impacts of AI.

Melvin Carter with the St. Paul skyline in the background

Melvin Carter, Saint Paul Mayor

Carter stood out to nurses because he emphasized that the values guiding his leadership in Saint Paul—community health, safety, and strength—directly align with MNA’s advocacy for safe staffing, fair wages, and high-quality patient care. He pointed to his record of purchasing medical debt, advancing workplace protections, and ensuring that those who care for others are cared for in return. Carter also expressed full support for staffing ratios, spoke about learning from nurses firsthand, and affirmed his backing of the Minnesota Health Plan, pledging to stand with MNA at the Capitol. With a history of walking picket lines and working alongside labor to strengthen workplace protections, Carter committed to continuing to stand with MNA members in their fights ahead.
Meg Luger-Nikolai

Meg Luger-Nikolai, HD 64A

Nurses endorsed Meg Luger-Nikolai for House District 64A for her clear stance against the corporatization of healthcare and her commitment to addressing unsafe staffing. She understands how short staffing harms patients and nurses alike and has called for real accountability from hospital systems, including limits on executive pay, stronger oversight of mergers, and protections to ensure communities maintain access to care, especially in rural Minnesota.

Nurses trust that she will prioritize patient care over corporate profit and be a strong advocate for safe staffing at the Capitol.