Minnesota Midday: 1st District Race, Spring Lake Park Tie and Hortman Highway
Johnson leads Finstad by 323 votes in Minnesota's 1st District, Spring Lake Park's mayor's race ends in a tie, and Highway 610 becomes the Hortman Memorial Highway.
Democrat Jake Johnson, a Rochester math teacher, leads Republican Rep. Brad Finstad by 323 votes in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District in unofficial results. Johnson declared victory; Finstad has not conceded. Minnesota does not order automatic recounts, but the margin is under 0.25 percent, so a publicly funded recount can be requested. The Secretary of State's Office says results are not official until canvassing boards review them.
Johnson's campaign saysThe 323-vote lead is strong enough to withstand a recount.
Finstad's sideRep. Finstad has not conceded and has not said whether he will seek a recount; on election night he said he was optimistic.
Robert Nelson and Halyn Roth each received 1,401 votes in the Spring Lake Park mayor's race in unofficial results, with all three precincts reporting. The City Council will canvass the results Monday at 5:30 p.m. If the race is still tied, Minnesota law says the winner is decided by lot. Candidates can request a recount until 5 p.m. November 16.
Gov. Tim Walz dedicated Highway 610 as the Hortman Memorial Highway at a Thursday-morning ceremony, honoring the late Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. The 12-mile route runs from Highway 10 in Coon Rapids to Interstate 94 in Maple Grove. Lawmakers passed legislation earlier in 2026 recognizing Hortman's work to secure funding for the highway.
