MANKATO, MINN.-  Rep. Brad Finstad, the former interim executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA), won Minnesota’s 1^st District this week following a challenge from Jeff Ettinger, former chairman of Hormel Foods Corp.

Finstad received 53.9% of the vote while Ettinger came in with 42.3% of the vote.

Finstad won a special election in August to serve the remainder of the term of this seat that was previously held by Representative Jim Hagedorn, who died in February 2022. Finstad also defeated Ettinger in the special election.

"I am honored to be re-elected to represent my friends and neighbors in Minnesota’s First Congressional District," Finstad posted on his Facebook campaign page. "I am humbled by the support given to our campaign by so many wonderful people. I look forward to continuing our work in the US House by bringing southern Minnesota common sense to DC."

Ettinger released a statement through his campaign page on Facebook.

“The voters of Southern Minnesota have spoken,” Ettinger said in his concession post. “I want to congratulate Brad Finstad on winning the election last night. Though I had hoped to celebrate different news, there is plenty for which to be hopeful. Tens of thousands of voters came out to vote for a common-sense, moderate approach to representation. While that message did not carry us to victory, I believe that the voters of this district want an approach to governance that represents everyone in the district, not just one party or the other. I am honored and grateful to every single person who supported my campaign, voted for me, and took the time to listen to my message.”

Before working at MTGA and the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council (MTRPC), Finstad served as a state director of USDA Rural Development. During 2008 to 2017, he worked as chief executive office of the Center for Rural Policy and Development in St. Peter, Minnesota.

Ettinger joined Hormel in 1989 and served as president and CEO from November 2006 to October 2015. He stepped down in October 2016 from the CEO position. He served on the Hormel Foods board of directors since May 2004 and as chairman of the board since November 2006.