OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
CONGRESSMAN BRAD FINSTAD
Congressman Brad Finstad is a conservative fighter elected in August of 2022 to finish the term of the late Congressman Jim Hagedorn.
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Brad is proud to have served as President Donald J. Trump’s State Director for USDA Rural Development in Minnesota. Brad worked to support infrastructure improvements, business development, homeownership, community services such as schools, public safety and health care, and high-speed internet access in rural areas.
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A fourth-generation resident of the New Ulm area, Brad and his wife Jaclyn met on the school bus in second grade. Today they are the proud parents of seven children. Together with their extended family, they operate a family farm that has been active for generations.
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Brad is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Agriculture Education with emphasis in Rural Leadership Development. His prior positions include serving as Executive Director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Policy & Development, Area Director with the Minnesota Farm Bureau, and three terms representing Brown, Watonwan, and Redwood counties in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
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Brad is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, defending the unborn, and keeping government out of the way so entrepreneurs, farmers, and small businesses can thrive.
CONGRESSWOMAN MICHELLE FISCHBACH
Michelle Fischbach is the U.S. Congressional Representative for western Minnesota’s 7th District.
She is a trailblazer and proven conservative leader, already making her mark as a member of the House Committees on Agriculture, Judiciary, and Rules. She is also the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
Prior to her election to Congress, she served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, being elevated to that position following the resignation of the previous Lieutenant Governor. She was the first woman in Minnesota history to serve as President of the Minnesota Senate. She was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1996 and served until 2018.
She holds a B.A. from St. Cloud State University and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. She and her husband, Scott, live near Paynesville, MN and have two grown children and six grandchildren.
SENATOR GARY DAHMS
Gary was born and raised in Clements, Minnesota and graduated from Redwood Falls High School. He attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business administration. Senator Dahms is also a graduate of the Blandin Community Leadership Program.
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Gary owned and operated Dahms Insurance Agency for 25 years. He turned his appreciation for my community into a lifelong dedication of service and volunteerism. As President of the Redwood Area Education Foundation, Dahms was responsible for a fundraising campaign to re-establish agricultural education in the Redwood Area Schools and continue to support the program through his leadership in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni Association.
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Gary lives in Redwood Falls with his wife Barb of 50 years. They have two grown children, Michelle and Michael; and two grandchildren. Both are also active members of the First United Methodist Church in Redwood Falls.
REPRESENTATIVE PAUL TORKELSON
Paul Torkelson is a eight term Minnesota State Representative serving Minnesota House District 16B.
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Paul has been married to his wife Cindy for 44 years and they are the proud parents of two adult daughters, Annika and Britta and one grandchild.
Paul is actively engaged in the operation of his family farm first established by his great-grandfather in 1878. He raises corn, soybeans and hogs.
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Cindy is a retired grade school teacher. She and Paul live on Lake Hanska in Brown County.
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Paul is a life-long resident of Minnesota, graduate of St. James High School and Gustavus Adolphus College. He and Cindy attend East Sveadahl Lutheran Church in rural Watonwan County where Paul was baptized and confirmed.
