Photo by Amy Zents Jake Johnson, DFL candidate for Congressional District 1 visited New Ulm Saturday.

NEW ULM — DFL congressional candidate Jake Johnson, a mathematics teacher from Rochester, spoke at a fundraiser Saturday in New Ulm, offering remarks on agriculture, health care, and rural services.

Johnson described his upbringing in Stewartville as one of 11 children in a family that relied on government assistance. He credited SNAP benefits, medical assistance, and Pell grants with helping him pursue higher education. He has taught mathematics in Rochester for 20 years.

During the gathering, Johnson identified tariffs as a key concern for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, which he described as the ninth most agriculturally productive in the country. He said tariffs raise input costs for farmers and create uncertainty in export markets. Equipment prices have also risen, he noted, with combines that once cost $1 million now priced closer to $1.2 million.

“Our farmers are squeezed on both ends,” Johnson said.

He criticized the response of elected officials to tariff concerns, stating that one representative referred to the president as “a disruptor” without offering a detailed explanation of the economic impact on producers.

Health care access was another focus of Johnson’s remarks. He cited the Mayo Clinic’s closure of six facilities, including four within the district, and attributed the closures to low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates. Johnson proposed raising the Social Security tax cap as a funding mechanism for rural health care.

He emphasized the importance of direct engagement with constituents, noting that several individuals had experienced difficulty reaching their representative’s office. One resident described their experience as negative, saying they were “treated rather rudely” when calling.

The gathering was held in a private setting and focused on issues affecting the district, including affordability, health care, and government responsiveness.

Johnson said he plans to continue visiting communities across the district and will take a leave of absence from teaching during the second semester. He stated that his outreach efforts have included all 21 counties and will remain active throughout the election cycle.

Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District includes much of the state’s southern agricultural region. Johnson emphasized the need for expanded constituent services and rural economic development, citing challenges faced by farmers, small-town hospitals, and working families.

The fundraiser also served as a space for community members to connect over shared concerns. Conversations touched on broadband access, school funding, and the role of federal programs in supporting rural infrastructure.

The event concluded with a call for continued dialogue and civic participation. Johnson encouraged attendees to stay engaged, ask questions, and share their experiences with neighbors and local leaders.