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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Close Contest Prompts Recount Request
Republican U.S. Representative Brad Finstad has announced his intention to request a recount in southern Minnesota's First District congressional race after Democrat Jake Johnson pulled ahead by just 323 votes. The race remains officially too close to call.
Legal Grounds for a Publicly Funded Recount
According to Minnesota law, a publicly funded recount can occur for a federal office if the margin between the candidates is less than one-quarter of one percent. With Johnson's lead within this narrow range, Finstad is eligible to make the request. Under state law changes made in 2013, recounts are no longer automatic, and the losing candidate must initiate the process. This request must be filed within 48 hours after the state Canvassing Board certifies election results—an event scheduled for November 19.
Statements from Finstad and Johnson Campaigns
Finstad's campaign confirmed Thursday that he will move forward with the recount request. In a statement, Finstad said, "We will allow the recount process to proceed and await the results." He added that his team would ensure the process established under state and federal law is followed, so that "every vote is counted in an accurate and transparent manner as we move toward a final determination of the results."
On the other side, Jake Johnson's campaign has already expressed confidence in their win, despite the race not being officially called by the Associated Press. Nik Marda, Johnson's campaign manager, said, "All precincts have reported and counted their legal votes, and Jake is up by over 300 votes. We have no doubt that Jake has won this election, and we are confident that Jake will be seated as the next representative from southern Minnesota." Johnson's camp is reportedly already preparing for a congressional transition.
Background: A History of Tight Races
The upcoming recount in the First District will be closely watched, as Minnesota has a history of lengthy and contentious federal recounts. The most notable example is the 2008 U.S. Senate race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken, which took nearly a year to settle and was ultimately decided by a court, with Franken declared the winner by 312 votes.
Next Steps and Certification Timeline
The Minnesota State Canvassing Board will meet on November 19 to certify the preliminary election results. Following this, Finstad will have a 48-hour window to officially submit his recount request. The results of the recount will determine the final outcome in the closely fought First District congressional race, a contest that has captured attention for its exceedingly narrow vote margin.
Conclusion
As the process unfolds, both campaigns continue to assert their positions, with Finstad committed to ensuring the integrity of the recount and Johnson preparing to assume congressional duties. The outcome will ultimately depend on the results of the recount and the official certification by state authorities.
Source: startribune.com.
