MNA Nurse-Endorsed:
2026 Minnesota House candidates
MNA CHAMPIONS
Pete Johnson, 08A
As an author of the Quality Patient Care Act, Johnson used his voice to raise awareness on the need to set mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios specific to various units in hospitals. Johnson, a firefighter and union leader, worked hard to advocate for the issue in the House Labor committee and on the Minnesota House floor.
Zack Stephenson, 35A
In 2019, Stephenson authored MNA’s workplace violence prevention legislation and in 2023, he advanced MNA priorities as the author of the hospital merger legislation that addressed nurses’ concerns about corporate consolidation in healthcare. He strongly supports safe staffing and an equitable health system that allows for single payer healthcare.
Emma Greenman, 63B
As co-author on the Quality Patient Care Act, Greenman is deeply invested in her work with MNA on anti-corporatization of healthcare legislation. Greenman serves as a member of the House Labor Committee, and was instrumental in fighting efforts to weaken Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) as well as pushing forward break law changes that passed.
MNA ADVOCATE
Liish Kozlowski, 08B
Liish Kozlowski has been a consistent supporter of pro-worker, pro-nurse and pro-union legislation. Kozlowski was also a co-author on MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act. Their commitment to equity, labor rights and accessible healthcare continues to make them a valued partner for Minnesota nurses.
Matt Norris, 32B
MNA has worked closely with Matt Norris to strengthen healthcare access and protect vital community hospitals, including Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). He worked closely with MNA to secure funding to keep HCMC open in 2026 and signed onto MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act in 2025.
Robert Bierman, 56A
Bierman has been endorsed by MNA in every election because of his strong commitment to healthcare. He has been one of Minnesota nurses’ strongest champions at the Capitol, advancing legislation to increase oversight of healthcare mergers, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and strengthening protections for patients and healthcare workers.
Kristi Pursell, 58A
Kristi Pursell is a lifelong organizer who believes strong communities are built through collective action and worker empowerment. She is a co-author of MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act and is committed to expanding access to affordable healthcare for all Minnesotans, and to strengthening protections for frontline healthcare workers. Pursell understands that supporting nurses means building healthier communities for everyone.
Jamie Long, 61B
Representative Jamie Long is seeking his fifth term and he currently serves as DFL Floor Leader. Long has been one of MNA’s most collaborative partners in the House, co-authoring MNA staffing legislation, the Union Freedoms bill, and reproductive health expansions, while being a strong public supporter of ESST and PFML. He has been a key ally in defeating the Nurse Licensure Compact session after session and maintains an open-door policy with MNA staff and members.
Leigh Finke, 66A
Leigh Finke is a dedicated advocate for nurses, workers, and patients. As a strong supporter of safe staffing legislation, healthcare reform and workers’ rights, she has signed on as a co-author to MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act, joined MNA picket lines and showed strong public support for nurses’ fight for safe staffing legislation. Her commitment to equity, public health, and labor rights makes her a trusted partner for frontline healthcare workers.
MNA SUPPORTER
Tina Liebling, 24B
First elected in 2004, Liebling is one of the most accomplished healthcare legislators at the Capitol. She currently co-chairs the House Judiciary Committee and serves on the Health Finance and Policy CommitteeShe has been a strong and consistent opponent of the Nurse Licensure Compact, helping MNA prevent it from advancing in the House, and is a longstanding proponent of healthcare for all and a fair tax system. She received MNA’s Public Official Award in 2022 and was endorsed as an MNA Champion in 2024 for her collaborative work on staffing and hospital merger legislation, including co-authoring the hospital merger regulation bill and the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act.
Andy Smith, 25B
As the author of the hospital closures bill in 2024, Andy Smith has been a strong advocate for providing workers and communities with greater transparency when hospitals consolidate or close. Currently, Smith co-chairs the Minnesota Health Plan Caucus and has been a genuine partner on healthcare reform. His focus remains on healthcare reform, taxing the wealthy and building thriving communities which deeply align with MNA’s mission.
Josiah Hill, 33B
Josiah Hill is a long-serving president of the St. Croix Education Association, a union leader to his core, and it shows in how he has shown up for MNA—walking picket lines with nurses, voting consistently for MNA’s legislative priorities and always maintaining an open-door policy at the Capitol. He has been a supporter of safe staffing, signing on as a co-author to MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act, supporting single payer healthcare and is strongly opposed to the Nurse Licensure Compact and right-to-work.
Kari Rehrauer, 35B
A former middle school biology teacher with over 20 years in the classroom, Kari Rehrauer came to the legislature with deep roots in public service. She has shown her commitment to nurses by signing onto our staffing ratio legislation, the Quality Patient Care Act. Rehrauer’s priorities are strengthening public education, improving affordability including healthcare, preventing gun violence, and protecting reproductive freedom, all of which align closely with MNA’s values. She has been previously endorsed by MNA and brings a consistent record of support for nurses and workers in a district where the stakes are high.
Brion Curran, 36B
Brion Curran has been a vocal supporter of MNA issues throughout her time in the legislature, including unemployment insurance for striking workers and as a co-author of MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act. Curran’s priorities strongly align with MNA’s values for affordable healthcare, workers’ rights, reproductive freedom, disability services, environmental justice, and economic security for working families.
Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley, 38A
Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley has been an eager and engaged partner for MNA, meeting with nurses at MNA’s Day on the Hill and working closely with MNA’s legislative team throughout session, including signing on to MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act and the Minnesota Health Plan. She is committed to supporting safe staffing, workforce retention and recruitment as well as workplace safety, affordability, and patient care.
David Gottfried, 40B
In his short time in office, David Gottfried has already demonstrated a proactive partnership with MNA values, helping organize members of his caucus to send a public letter to Essentia Health CEO David Herman in 2025 urging settlement of first contracts with Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and clinic nurses. He is a strong labor ally who supports staffing legislation and unemployment insurance for striking workers.
Ginny Klevorn, 42B
Ginny Klevorn has been a consistent MNA ally and frequently shows support on our picket and strike lines. Klevorn is a co-author of MNA legislation like the Quality Patient Care Act and supports other MNA priorities at the Capitol. She is a fierce advocate for transparency and accountability in healthcare finance and transactions.
Peter Fischer, 44A
Peter Fischer has been a consistent and enthusiastic ally for MNA throughout his time in the legislature, attending picket lines, and meeting with nurses both in-district and at the Capitol. He has co-authored MNA priority legislation including unemployment insurance for striking workers and the Minnesota Health Plan. Fischer is a strong supporter of staffing ratios inside hospitals and has never wavered in his commitment to the labor movement.
Steve Elkins, 50B
Steve Elkins has co-authored numerous pieces of MNA legislation including the hospital closures bill, workplace violence protections and medical debt legislation. Elkins has also been a strong supporter of nurse staffing and workplace violence issues. He has walked picket lines and has been a productive and committed partner on MNA’s legislative agenda, including opposing the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
Mike Howard, 51A
Mike Howard has been a consistent and enthusiastic MNA ally who has previously been endorsed for his work championing the Alex Smith Insulin Affordability Act. Howard has shown up to MNA picket lines and voted in favor of all MNA’s and labor’s legislation during the last biennium. This includes co-authoring the Quality Patient Care Act, legislation on ending junk fees, the Equal Rights Amendment, worker misclassification, closing corporate tax loopholes and medical debt reform.
Nathan Coulter, 51B
Nathan Coulter has been an eager supporter of MNA’s agenda throughout his time in the legislature, including co-authoring MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act. His background in health policy through the Humphrey School gives him a strong foundation for engaging in nurse and healthcare issues.
Bianca Virnig, 52B
Virnig brings a depth of personal and professional experience to nurse and healthcare issues that is rare in the legislature. Before coming to the Capitol, she worked as an OSHA investigator with a focus on safe patient handling and later as a health and safety director for an education service cooperative. Virnig serves on the House Health Finance and Policy Committee and is a co-author of MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act.
Brad Tabke, 54A
Brad Tabke is a strong and reliable partner on MNA’s and labor’s legislative priorities, including being a co-author on the Minnesota Health Plan. Tabke has also co-authored key labor bills including unemployment insurance for striking workers and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML).
Jess Hanson, 55A
Jess Hanson has been one of the strongest and loudest advocates for nurses and workers in the legislature; she fully supports safe staffing ratios and single-payer healthcare and opposes any efforts to weaken worker protections. She has also been endorsed as an MNA Advocate in previous elections due to her deep commitment to co-governance on issues impacting the daily lives of nurses and patients.
John Huot, 56B
John Huot is an emergency medical technician and former MNA member, a combination that made him a critical ally this past session in securing the funding needed to keep HCMC open. Huot has joined nurses on picket lines and at MNA Capitol events. He consistently supports safe staffing and views MNA as a continual partner. He has advocated for programs that would cover the cost of nursing education and shows a forward-thinking mindset when it comes to understanding the challenges facing healthcare.
Mike Howard, 51A
Mike Howard has been a consistent and enthusiastic MNA ally who has previously been endorsed for his work championing the Alex Smith Insulin Affordability Act. Howard has shown up to MNA picket lines and voted in favor of all MNA’s and labor’s legislation during the last biennium. This includes co-authoring the Quality Patient Care Act, legislation on ending junk fees, the Equal Rights Amendment, worker misclassification, closing corporate tax loopholes and medical debt reform.
Sydney Jordan, 60A
Sydney Jordan has built a record of genuine partnership with MNA that goes beyond a voting record. She currently co-chairs the Education Policy Committee and describes herself as staunchly pro-union, which shows up consistently in both her committee work and on the floor. She is a co-author of MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act and has signed onto MNA legislation across multiple terms. he commits to continuing to proactively reach out to MNA, maintain an open door to all MNA staff and members, and show up when it counts.
Dave Pinto, 64B
Dave Pinto, HD 64B: Dave Pinto’s co-chair position on the House Workforce, Labor and Economic Development committee has made him an invaluable ally. He helped fight off attacks to roll back Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) in 2026. Pinto has advocated for updated break law protections in the tied House in 2025, is a co-author of the Minnesota Health Plan and is a trusted ally as the labor committee chair. He is a staunch opponent of the Nurse Licensure Compact and remains deeply committed to advancing the
Athena Hollins, 66B
Athena Hollins sits on the Public Safety Committee and has been a strong voice on racial equity throughout her tenure. She is a co-author on MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act and has joined MNA picket lines numerous times over the past eight years. She is committed to open and consistent communication with MNA nurses and showing up to apply pressure when needed.
Liz Lee, 67A
Liz Lee’s focus on building worker power and equity for all people is evident in both her legislative record and her approach to partnership. She identifies MNA as a critical co-partner in the state’s response to federal disinvestment in public health infrastructure, noting that the fight over HR1 implementation will require nurses and legislators working together closely.
Jay Xiong, 67B
Previously endorsed by MNA, Xiong is a teacher turned community organizer who co-chairs the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and has built a legislative record focused on veterans, housing, climate change, workforce development, and healthcare access. He is a co-author of MNA’s Quality Patient Care Act and authored the Debt Fairness Act, which included medical debt provisions MNA advocated strongly to pass, a tangible win for patients and workers in his district and across the state.
MNA ENDORSED
Reed Olson, 02A
Aaron Kania, 03A
Aaron Schweiger, 03B
Dan Horoshak, 07B
Chris Swanson, 11A
Abdi Daisane, 14A
Zach Dorholt, 14B
Leah Hanson, 18A
Luke Frederick, 18B
Kim Hicks, 25A
Dan Wilson 26A
Jason Heaser, 34A
Xp Lee, 34B
Jim DeMay, 36A
Darci Smith, 37A
Kristin Bahner, 37B
Aaron Klemz, 39A
Justice Spriggs, 39B
Aisha Elmquist, 40A
Cole Birkeland, 41A
Ned Carroll, 42A
Kyrstin Schuette, 43A
Jess Lewis, 43B
Tracey Breazeale, 45A
Patty Acomb, 45B
Larry Kraft, 46A
Cheryl Youakim, 46B
Shelley Buck, 47A
Lucy Rehm, 48B
Alex Falconer, 49A
Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, 49B
Julie Greene, 50A
Christos Jensen, 52A
Mary Frances Clardy, 53A
Rick Hansen, 53B
Brian Cohn, 57B
Hunter Cantrell, 55B
Fue Lee, 59A
Mohamud Noor, 60B
Anquam Mahamoud, 62B
Samantha Sencer-Mura, 63A
Meg Luger-Nikolai, 64A
