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 ENDORSED
Nat Smith, SD33
Smith has expressed support for MNA’s safe staffing legislation and has committed to learning more about the harmful Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). He is in favor of the Minnesota Health Plan and understands the importance of strengthening labor laws in Minnesota. He also has expressed deep concerns on the use of AI in hospitals and how it may impact patient care.
Heather Gustafson, SD36
Gustafson supports single payer healthcare in Minnesota and expressed the need for support from the federal government. She believes elected officials should be proactive to implement legislation that would increease guardrails against AI in healthcare settings.
Kristy Janigo, SD37
Janigo supports MNA’s staffing legislation and single-payer healthcare. She also opposes the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), believing it to be a union-busting tactic.
Liz Reyer, SD52
Reyer authored and supported key legislation including the Quality Patient Care Act and served as the House author in 2026 for the MN Health Plan bill. She 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, SD53
Cumings supports more regulation for hospital mergers and acquisitions as well as ratios and stronger accountability for hospital executives. He 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.
Robyn Gulley, SD65
Gulley has a long history of working in healthcare unions, which has helped her understand the need for safe staffing and better working conditions in hospitals. She has expressed support for safe staffing, single payer healthcare, and unemployment insurance for striking workers.