Brad Finstad

On Thursday night, Minnesota Congressional First District hopeful Jake Johnson made one of his 21-scheduled town hall stops across the district in Austin making his pitch for this November, but more importantly for his campaign, reaching out and listening to voter concerns.

Johnson’s stop was held at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and continues his journey across the state to ensure each county within the district has a chance to be heard.

In all six of his stops so far, the candidate running against Brad Finstad said he has heard from people who haven’t gotten a chance to voice concerns directly to the incumbent in similar format meetings.

“I think people are frustrated,” Johnson said after Thursday’s town hall. “I think they really appreciate the fact that we’re hosting these open forums. I do think people genuinely, whether they are my supporters or not, deserve that and appreciate the fact that we are providing that forum when it just doesn’t exist right now.”

Johnson opened Thursday night’s event with his background, explaining that his family was one of those who received support from government programs as well as those closest to his family in Stewartville.

He called it neighbor to neighbor welfare, explaining that it was people looking out for other people, something he wants to continue if elected.

“I got to live the American dream right here in southern Minnesota,” Johnson told the audience, going on to say that when he announced his candidacy his reasons were not self-serving, but rather a desire to be a part of the solution. “It didn’t feel like a good time to sit on the sidelines.”

Throughout the hour-long conversation, Johnson took a number of questions across a broad range of topics including the war in Iran, healthcare, term limits for Supreme Court justices and one question asking how he would approach his job in Washington DC if elected.

His explanation was centered around working with others to get goals across the finish line, not by falling in line behind one person’s bidding.

“(Congressmen) forget why they are there,” Johnson said. “I’m going to Washington DC to solve problems.”

While those in attendance Thursday night were mostly Democratic-leaning, there was one person who said he has voted for Finstad in the past as well as President Trump and asked directly how Johnson would side in terms of supporting Israel as a part of the Iran conflict.

Johnson answered by saying he was in support of supplying defensive weapons for Israel, noting its geographic location and neighbors, but added he would not support supplying offensive weapons.

“I think that’s a reasonable step,” Johnson said and followed up after the event by saying regardless of how this person or people like him voted, it was important to make sure there was a platform in place for all.

“It is crucial for me to hear from viewpoints across the spectrum and so I’m so appreciative he came, voiced his question and I was able to give my answer,” Johnson said. “I look forward to more folks that supported Congressman Finstad coming out to our events and hearing what our vision is and knowing we may not agree … that's a beautiful thing about our democracy. They get to show up, they get to have their voice heard and they get to vote.”

Likewise, Johnson said it was equally important to address those who feel that government is broken, no matter what side they are coming from.

“My message to them is I completely hear you and understand you,” he said. “Too many times members of both parties; they throw on their blue shirt or their red shirt and they say ‘we’re fighting against that team’ and it’s exhausting people. Where is the problem solving?”

Johnson’s next stop will be in Fillmore County at Sylvan Brewing in Lanesboro at 6 p.m. Monday night.

“If you didn’t get a chance to come out to our town hall this time, I hope you can get out next time,” Johnson said.