# Minnesota election contests

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/minnesota-election-contests
> Updated: 2026-11-04T16:06:04.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Election results in Minnesota have led to potential recounts and political rematches. In House District 54A, Brad Tabke and Aaron Paul are entering a rematch following a highly contested 2024 election where Tabke won by 14 votes. That previous cycle involved a legal battle over uncounted ballots and a judge ruling that a new election was unnecessary.

In the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in Minnesota’s First Congressional District, DFL challenger Jake Johnson holds a narrow lead over Republican incumbent Brad Finstad. Following the reporting of 100% of the votes across all 750 precincts, Johnson leads by approximately 323 to 324 votes, with Johnson holding roughly 49.99% to Finstad’s 49.89%.

Because the margin is less than 0.25%, the results meet the threshold for a state-mandated, publicly funded recount. While Johnson, a math teacher from Rochester, has declared victory, the race has not been officially called. Johnson’s performance in the Rochester area, where he won with a 62.15% to 37.73% margin, helped narrow the gap in Olmsted County. Johnson’s campaign raised over $3.5 million, compared to $2.79 million for Finstad, a fourth-generation farmer who previously won the seat by 17 points in 2024.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-04: Jake Johnson leads Brad Finstad in Minnesota congressional race

DFL challenger Jake Johnson leads Republican incumbent Brad Finstad by roughly 324 votes in Minnesota’s 1st District, a margin that may trigger a state-funded recount.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minnesota-house-race-may-face-recount-as-margin-reaches-324-votes

### 2026-10-26: Minnesota House District 54A candidates enter rematch

Minnesota House District 54A candidates Brad Tabke and Aaron Paul are heading into a rematch following a 2024 election decided by just 14 votes and a legal dispute over uncounted ballots.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minnesota-house-district-54a-candidates-enter-rematch

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Cite as: Minnesota election contests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/minnesota-election-contests
