MNA Nurse-Endorsed:
2026 Minnesota SENATE candidates
MNA CHAMPIONS
Jen McEwen, SD08
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), and the noncompete ban passed in 2023.
John Hoffman, SD34
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 has stood firmly with labor in opposing efforts to weaken Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
Jim Abeler, SD35
Abeler has consistently supported MNA’s priorities and stood with nurses in the fight for safe staffing in Minnesota hospitals. He vocally opposes the Nurse Licensure Compact and has expressed the need for greater oversight of hospital acquisitions. He has worked to stabilize safety-net hospitals in his district and across the region, continuing to prioritize the needs of patients, communities, and nurses.
Lindsey Port, SD55
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, and 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.
Erin Murphy, SD64
As a registered nurse and Senate Majority Leader, Murphy deeply supports MNA’s priorities, leading the efforts for safe staffing legislation at the Capitol. In 2023, she fought for the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act, and she continues to fight for legislation that will protect patient care and healthcare workers across the state.
MNA ADVOCATE
Rob Kupec, 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, 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.
John Marty, 40
Marty chairs the Senate Finance Committee and serves on the Labor Committee, two of the most consequential committee assignments for MNA’s legislative agenda. He is the author of the Minnesota Health Plan and the Patient Centered Care program and has been a co-author of MNA staffing legislation multiple times. He is a consistent and outspoken proponent of labor rights and collective bargaining and has used both his gavel and his voice to champion policies for working people in each and every session.
Erin Maye Quade, 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, 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).
MNA SUPPORTER
Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, 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, 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).
Zaynab Mohamed, 63
Previously endorsed by MNA, Mohamed has been a champion for workers, immigrants, and underserved communities since her election in 2022. She has co-authored MNA legislation, was a champion of UI for striking workers, has strongly opposed the Nurse Licensure Compact, and was a loud and vocal supporter of KNABA through the end of last session. She has been a consistent voice for the right to organize, living wages, and workplace safety for both employees and patients.
Clare Oumou Verbeten, 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.
MNA ENDORSED
Aric Putnam, 14
Nick Frentz, 18
Simon Glaser, 24
Chris Ford, 32
Nat Smith, SD33
Heather Gustafson, SD36
Kristy Janigo, SD37
Susan Pha, 38
Mary Kunesh, 39
Bonnie Westlin, 42
Mike Freiberg, 43
Sam Rosemark 44
Ann Johnson Stewart, 45
Dan Kessler, 48
Krish Subrahmanian, 49
Simon Trautmann Cordova, 51
Liz Reyer, SD52
Paul Cumings, SD53
Rick Olson, 54
Mark Legvold, 58
Bobby Joe Champion 59
Doron Clark, 60
