Jake Johnson appears to edge Finstad

Democrat Jake Johnson, a former Rochester math teacher, holds an apparent lead of about 324 votes over Republican incumbent Brad Finstad in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, a sharp upset in a district Donald Trump carried by 12 points in 2024. The razor-thin margin is well within Minnesota’s threshold for an automatic recount, so the result is not yet final. Johnson campaigned on affordability and economic concerns, criticizing Finstad’s support for Trump’s policies and presenting himself as more connected to constituents. He gained ground in rural areas while building strong margins around Rochester and Mankato, reflecting demographic and political shifts in the district. The race unfolded amid broad Democratic gains nationally, with one report saying Democrats had won control of both chambers of Congress.