Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 12h

#FinstadWatch

Meet #FinstadForCongress #DonorOfTheDay

In May 2025, #RepFinstad received over $19,000 campaign contributions from #AIPAC
Wanna bet the American #Israel Public Affairs Committee, which is a pro-Israel lobbying group, will be investing more in #MN01 #BradFinstad after his tweet ?

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 14h

#LetterToTheEditor
#AlbertLea Tribune
Oct 10

Questioning #RepFinstad's support for #TrumpTariffs, #FinstadFailure to pass a #FarmBill and to be accountable.

Conclusion With new leadership, we can make sure that our farmers’ hard work actually pays off.
www.albertleatribune.com/2025/10/lett...

Letter: Our soybean farmers deserve better - Albert Lea Tribune

I’ve been a math teacher in southern Minnesota for the past 20 years. And when I look at the tariffs supported by our Congressman Brad Finstad, I know the math just doesn’t add up. Farmers here plant ...

www.albertleatribune.com

1

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 22h

Kaiser Family Foundation reported the rate varies by congressional district
A 60-year-old couple making $85,000, #MN01 $1,263.96 will experience the highest increase

Since #RepFinstad is on another #DistrictWorkPeriod, would that be the time for him to hold a townhall
www.kff.org/quick-take/w...

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 23h

Gotta ask when other Republicans are speaking up about the #TrumpAdministrations decision to send $20Billion in aid to Argentina (which is cutting deals to sell #soybeans) why has #RepFinstad remained silent.

#FinstadFailsFarmers
#TimeForChange in #MN01
#FinstadWatch

youtu.be/xwbjUCcSibs?...

1

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 23h

Full funding for Individuals with Disabilities was always something that retired Education Committee Chairman John Kline (GOP #MNCD2) advocated
Now the effort is being led by #MN08 #RepPeteStauber and #MN02 #RepAngieCraig

WHY hasn't #MN01 #RepFinstad sponsored #HR2598 IDEA Full Funding Act 2025

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 1d

#FinstadWatch
Oct 10 2025

This morning, House Republicans blocked a vote on #OH13 #RepEmiliaSykes bipartisan #HR2017 Pay Our Military Act to ensure that service men and women continue to receive pay during a #GovernmentShutdown.

WHY didn't #RepFinstad sponsor HR2017

#TimeForChange in #MN01

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 2d

#LetterToTheEditor
#MankatoFreePress
Oct 10 2025

The farmers of this country voted for good government, not no government.
The farmers I know and am related to did not vote to become welfare tenants of land owned by the banks.

#TimeForChange in #MN01

www.mankatofreepress.com/opinion/lett...

Farmers did not vote for no government

www.mankatofreepress.com

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 3d

Wonder how #BradFinstad (who boasts that he is a fourth-generation farmer raising the fifth) feels about using US tax payer dollars to bail out farmers ?

Will millionaire #RepFinstad vote in the interests of #FinstadFarms or taxpayers?

twitter.com/Acyn/status/...

Copy @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social

Acyn on X: "Comer: The soybean farmers aren't to blame in this. They planted that crop assuming that those foreign markets were going to be there. China is the biggest importer of American soybeans. They import anywhere from 25 to 35% of the American soybean crop every year. They haven't https://t.co/nCxrIYyRHH" / X

Comer: The soybean farmers aren't to blame in this. They planted that crop assuming that those foreign markets were going to be there. China is the biggest importer of American soybeans. They import anywhere from 25 to 35% of the American soybean crop every year. They haven't https://t.co/nCxrIYyRHH

twitter.com

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 3d

Wonder how #BradFinstad (who boasts that he is a fourth-generation farmer raising the fifth) feels about using US tax payer dollars to bail out #farmers ?

Classic question ... does multi-millionaire #RepFinstad vote in the interests of #FinstadFarms or #MN01 taxpayers ?

twitter.com/Acyn/status/...

Acyn on X: "Comer: The soybean farmers aren't to blame in this. They planted that crop assuming that those foreign markets were going to be there. China is the biggest importer of American soybeans. They import anywhere from 25 to 35% of the American soybean crop every year. They haven't https://t.co/nCxrIYyRHH" / X

Comer: The soybean farmers aren't to blame in this. They planted that crop assuming that those foreign markets were going to be there. China is the biggest importer of American soybeans. They import anywhere from 25 to 35% of the American soybean crop every year. They haven't https://t.co/nCxrIYyRHH

twitter.com

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 3d

#RepFinstad tweeted that "hardworking Minnesotans are paying the price" ignoring that #MAGARepublicans have FAILED to Do Their Job.

Since July 23, the House has only held legislative votes on 12 DAYS and they will not return to DC until Oct 14 at the earliest.

#TimeForChange in #MN01

#OustFinstad

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 3d

#MAGARepublicans have FAILED to Do Their Job of funding the Government (which was to be completed by June 30 and now want an extension until Nov 21 to get it done)

Since July 23, the House has only held legislative votes on TWELVE DAYS and they will not return to DC until Oct 14 at the earliest.

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 4d

Think this is a winning campaign message ?
"We are tired of watching billionaires hoard power while families can’t afford groceries”

#SpecialElection in #TN07 is definitely a possible Democrat pick-up based on the strong Dem primary participation

#FinstadWatch

clarksvillenow.com/local/tennes...

‘Tennessee is ready for a new kind of Democrat’: Aftyn Behn on nomination in Congress race | PHOTOS - ClarksvilleNow.com

State Rep. Aftyn Behn has won the Democratic nomination to represent Tennessee District 7 in Congress

clarksvillenow.com

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 4d

#Soybeans is one commodity but #TrumpEconomicPolicy (especially #TrumpTariffs) have hurt all farmers and ranchers leading to almost doubling of Chapter12 bankruptcy filings in our region

House proposed #HR4121 includes a 7% CUT to Farm Service Agency staff. FSA is involved with loans for farmers.

Jake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 5d

Our congressman hasn’t done enough for our soybean farmers, and everyone is starting to notice. This is a powerful editorial in the Mankato Free Press about how Washington’s trade policies (and lack thereof) have created such a mess for southern Minnesota.

1

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 5d

#LetterToTheEditor
#WorthingtonGlobe

Constituent reacts to #BradFinstad's #FinstadInTheField #GovernmentShutdown #BlameGame as "Shame on you, #RepFinstad. You are not representing us well. Please stop lying."

File #FinstadWatch

www.dglobe.com/opinion/lett...

Copy @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social

Letter: In response to 'Finstad in the Field'

Constituents deserve better from representative

www.dglobe.com

2

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 5d

Did you see the #LetterToTheEditor in the #WorthingtonGlobe?

Constituent reacts to #BradFinstad's #FinstadInTheField statements on the #GovernmentShutdown as "Shame on you, #RepFinstad. You are not representing us well. Please stop lying."

File #FinstadWatch

www.dglobe.com/opinion/lett...

Letter: In response to 'Finstad in the Field'

Constituents deserve better from representative

www.dglobe.com

1

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 5d

Oct 7 2025
@jimmcgovernma.bsky.social asked #VirginiaFoxx who was presiding over the House in pro forma to allow AZ Dem Rep.-Elect Adelia Grijalva to be sworn in on the next legislative day. Foxx does not recognize him & gavels out the House.

Copy @juliefryer.bsky.social

George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 15d

They are so afraid of this they won’t seat a newly elected Congresswoman from AZ to keep it from happening.

The image is a screenshot of an X post from the account @Re... (Really American) dated 11 hours ago, claiming that Speaker Johnson has refused to swear in newly-elected Democratic Rep. Grijalva, who is described as the decisive 218th vote needed for a discharge petition to release the Epstein files. The post questions the reason for the delay. The image also includes a video still labeled "EXCLUSIVE" from Meidastouch Network, featuring Rep.-elect Grijalva, with text stating she is ready to sign the discharge petition. The background shows campaign materials with her name and slogans like "Se hizo historia!"

3

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 5d

#FinstadWatch

Just heard from my neighbor in #MN01 that she was notified that her #Medicare insurance premium will increase over $600 in 2026 -- UP 16%
Meanwhile #BadNews for #SocialSecurity recipients

#TimeForChange in #MN01

#FinstadFails #seniors

www.fastcompany.com/91416735/soc...

1

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 5d

#FinstadWatch

Just heard from my neighbor in #MN01 that she was notified that her Medicare insurance premium will increase over $600 in 2026 -- UP 16%
Meanwhile #BadNews for #SocialSecurity recipients

#FinstadFails #seniors

www.fastcompany.com/91416735/soc...

Copy @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social

A critical Social Security change impacting monthly benefits is at risk because of the government shutdown

To calculate cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increases to 2026 Social Security checks, the agency needs data from the largely furloughed Bureau of Labor Statistics.

www.fastcompany.com

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 5d

#OustFinstad

Just heard from my neighbor in #MN01 that she was notified that her Medicare insurance premium will increase over $600 in 2026 -- over 16% meanwhile #BadNews for #SocialSecurity recipients

#FinstadFails seniors

www.fastcompany.com/91416735/soc...

Copy @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social

A critical Social Security change impacting monthly benefits is at risk because of the government shutdown

To calculate cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increases to 2026 Social Security checks, the agency needs data from the largely furloughed Bureau of Labor Statistics.

www.fastcompany.com

1 6 5

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 5d

#FinstadFocus

Just heard from my neighbor in #MN01 that she was notified that her Medicare insurance premium will increase over $600 in 2026 -- UP 16% meanwhile #BadNews for #SocialSecurity recipients

#FinstadFails seniors

www.fastcompany.com/91416735/soc...

Copy @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social

A critical Social Security change impacting monthly benefits is at risk because of the government shutdown

To calculate cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increases to 2026 Social Security checks, the agency needs data from the largely furloughed Bureau of Labor Statistics.

www.fastcompany.com

1 1

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 5d

#FinstadWatch

Just heard from my neighbor in #MN01 that she was notified that her Medicare insurance premium will increase over $600 in 2026 -- over 16% meanwhile #BadNews for #SocialSecurity recipients

#FinstadFails seniors

www.fastcompany.com/91416735/soc...

Copy @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social

A critical Social Security change impacting monthly benefits is at risk because of the government shutdown

To calculate cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increases to 2026 Social Security checks, the agency needs data from the largely furloughed Bureau of Labor Statistics.

www.fastcompany.com

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 5d

ICYMI : US manufacturing activity contracts for 7th straight month

QUERY : How long will #BradFinstad continue to support #Trump failed policies ?

Answer : Until #RepFinstad is defeated on Nov 3

#TimeForChange in #MN01

Copy @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social

www.straitstimes.com/business/eco...

Tariffs weigh on US manufacturing as activity contracts for 7th straight month

Only five industries reported growth. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

2

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 6d

Farmers have a choice either sell #soybeans at a loss or store them ... and #RepFinstad has gotten zero cosponsors to his #HR1302 Growing Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Needs to Deliver Rising Yields Act or the GRAIN DRY Act

#FinstadFails #Farmers

#TimeForChange in #MN01

#FinstadWatch

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 6d

With the #GovernmentShutdown well underway, the #FinstadForCongress campaign has ignored it ... maybe #BradFinstad was tired ... after all he sent out three fundraising appeals the previous week

Sept 24 One week until the deadline
Sept 29 The deadline is almost here
Sept 30 Deadline at midnight

1

mainstreetmn.bsky.social @mainstreetmn.bsky.social · 6d

October 6 2025
#MankatoFreePress Editorial
#FinstadWatch

#Trump, #RepFinstad trade policies crippling farmers

With the China market gone for #Soybeans as prices are DOWN 30%, farmer estimated a 1,000 acre farm would lose $170,000 at current crop prices.

www.mankatofreepress.com/opinion/edit...

Our View: Trump, Finstad trade policies crippling farmers

The facts are getting uglier as they come out for farmers facing President Donald Trump’s onerous and devastating tariff and trade policies.

www.mankatofreepress.com

1