Zumbrota, MN — Today, local entrepreneur and Army veteran Beth Benike endorsed Jake Johnson in Minnesota’s first congressional district.

Benike, founder and CEO of Busy Baby, is a nationally recognized small business leader who grew up in southern Minnesota, served in the U.S. Army, and built her family company from scratch. Her products were featured on Shark Tank, and she was named Minnesota’s Small Business Person of the Year by President Trump’s Small Business Administration. Now, the tariffs have pushed her business to the brink of collapse, threatening her employees, customers, and livelihood. Meanwhile, Brad Finstad voted to support the tariffs, and he refuses to hold a town hall to hear how the tariffs are hurting his constituents.

“We need somebody who will listen to their constituents, hear our pain, hear our problems, and actually care about them,” said Beth Benike, founder and CEO of Busy Baby. “I attempted multiple times to reach Brad Finstad — went to his office, talked to his staff, had multiple phone calls. I have yet to hear from him. Additionally, my husband is a farmer and I’m a veteran, so Finstad claims to be supportive of small businesses, farmers, and veterans, but I have yet to feel that in any way at all.”

“Beth represents the very best of southern Minnesota: someone who has served her country and her community with honor,” said Jake Johnson, a math teacher and lifelong resident of southern Minnesota. “Her story is also a warning about how bad policies in Washington, like the terrible tariffs supported by Brad Finstad, are devastating our small businesses, family farms, and working families. I’m honored to have her support, and together we’ll fight for an economy that works for everyone here at home.”

Johnson’s campaign is centered on making life more affordable for working families by stopping the tariffs, strengthening healthcare, and investing in small towns.

###