Rachel Bohman

Rachel Bohman

What is your background and why are you running for MN First Congressional District?

I grew up in Rochester, the daughter of a single mother, and I know what it’s like to face tough times. My family struggled with poverty and addiction, but I worked my way through college and law school to build a better future. I live in Rochester now with my husband and two daughters.

I have a twenty-five-year career in public service and I am an award-winning election lawyer who led a bipartisan process to modernize our state’s election system. I also served as Hennepin County Elections Manager, I was elected to the Rochester Township Board, and then served as an Assistant Olmsted County Attorney.

I’ve visited with thousands of folks in every county in this district, I know we have some serious challenges ahead of us. I am running for this seat because I know we can’t wait any longer to get things done.

As your Congresswoman, I will get to work on the issues that matter most to our district including:

• Bringing down the costs of housing, healthcare, and childcare.

• Improving local access to healthcare, long-term care, and EMS services.

• Getting a Farm Bill passed that continues to support farmers and keep our kids fed.

• Rebuilding our Main Streets with locally owned small businesses.

• And I will absolutely vote to reinstate reproductive rights at the national level.

I pledge to show up for you and your community. I have put over 25k miles on in the past few months traveling to listen to issues that matter to you – this is only the beginning! Imagine having a Congressional Representative that is willing to show up for your community, provide ongoing updates, listen to what issues matter to you, and work towards solutions. I will not take extreme stances that hurt our district or wait to be told what to do. It would be an honor to serve the people of the First District.

What is the top issue facing the MN First Congressional District?

The top issue is definitely the economy. People are working harder than ever but still struggling to get ahead. Our economic system should have enough good opportunities so that everyone can find a way to support themselves and their families. We need to live up to the promise we’ve made to our kids that hard work will pay off!

We have seen recent improvements to our economy: inflation is going down; unemployment is low; domestic manufacturing is strong; and our administration is fighting back against anti-competitive practices that are raising prices. We still have work to do such as expanding access to affordable healthcare, passing a much-needed farm bill, continuing to bring down the cost of prescription drugs, and protecting Medicare and Social Security from the changes Republicans are proposing.

If elected, what will your top goal be for this term?

I know that the federal government can partner with our state and local communities to bring down the costs of childcare, housing, and education so families can get ahead.

Secondly, I will make sure that we pass a much-needed Farm Bill to make sure we continue to support our farmers and keep our kids fed.

In addition, I plan to work on bringing down the cost of healthcare and improving access to emergency medical services, long-term care, and healthcare in our rural communities.

Unlike my opponent, I will vote to reinstate national reproductive rights so families can make their own personal health decisions.

The Farm Bill expired without an extension. How do we ensure the passage comof future Farm Bills? What would your ideal Farm Bill look like?

As most know, my opponent ran two years ago on passing a Farm Bill. It’s still not done and while my opponent likes to pass the blame on the US Senate, we all know that is simply not true. The Farm Bill has a long tradition of bipartisan work in both the House and Senate which must happen again.

The main reason it hasn’t passed is because the extreme Republican House did not have the votes to pass it. Beyond this, and quite surprisingly, it also favors farmers in southern states and Midwestern farmers are left out.

I agree with much of what’s in the draft Farm Bill already. My ideal Farm Bill would provide Midwestern farmers with all the tools they need to deal with uncertain markets and changing climates. I support policies that give them access to fair markets, affordable credit, and innovative technologies that allow them to stay competitive in a global economy. I also support full funding of nutrition programs that will keep feeding our kids, families, and seniors.

With Congress heavily divided along party lines, how do avoid further legislative gridlock?

We’re at a crossroads with how our government functions. We must return to effective government focused on the needs of the public. I believe that the role of a Representative is to build bridges, not walls. I will look for shared values so we can move past partisan gridlock and deliver results for Southern Minnesota.

Yes, we are seeing division along party lines. But let’s be clear. One side is acting like adults and trying to get work done. While Republicans – who are in the majority – can’t even come together to elect a Speaker in a timely manner. The most recent Continuing Resolution shows this in action – without Democrats stepping up to carry this bill over the finish line, our government would have shut down. And for the record, Representative Finstad voted with the extremists to not fund the government which included FEMA funding.

When I get to Congress, I plan to be part of a coalition that works across this divide. We need to get work done for the American people! I actually have quite a bit of experience in working across the aisle and I led a bipartisan effort to modernize our statewide election system. We had to find compromise along so many lines but together we knew we had to get the work done so we worked through it.