Brad Finstad’s Former Campaign Chair Endorses Jake Johnson

NEW ULM, MN — Today, Brad Finstad’s former campaign chair Gerald Woodley endorsed Jake Johnson in his race against Finstad. Woodley supported Finstad for over two decades, served as the chair of the Brown County GOP, and is voting for multiple Republican candidates in 2026.

“As the owner of two small farms in Southern Minnesota that are farmed by two family farmers, I am concerned about the effect of tariffs on increased production costs and decreased foreign demand. As a senior citizen with health issues, I also am concerned with the decrease in rural health facilities and pharmacies. Brad Finstad has not helped to solve those issues. Therefore, I endorse Jake Johnson for Congress,” said Gerald Woodley, former Campaign Chair for Brad Finstad.

“I’m so honored to have Gerald’s endorsement in our race,” said Jake Johnson. “I’ve deeply appreciated his advice and insight throughout our campaign. His support adds to our broad coalition of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats who want a representative who will put in the work to make life cheaper and easier across southern Minnesota.”

Woodley served as Finstad’s first campaign chair, getting him elected to his first political office as state house representative in 2002. He continued to support Finstad over the next two decades, including when he first ran for Congress in 2022. A prominent “Republican activist for decades”, Woodley is the former chairman of the Brown County GOP, where Finstad has based his political career and has deep roots. Woodley has held many roles in GOP politics, such as working for GOP Sen. Norm Coleman, and has supported other GOP candidates for Congress in the first district, such as GOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn.

###