The Winona State University College Democrats club has announced the candidates they will be endorsing for the open Minnesota House and Senate seats. Via their Instagram they said, “We are proud to announce that we have chosen to endorse candidate Jake Johnson for congress representing MN CD1,” and “that last week we chose to endorse candidate Dan Wilson for MN House seat 26A.” Since this club has many members, it exerts influence on the Winona State community—students care about this club, and who they choose to endorse can sometimes impact student voting choices. At the very least, endorsing candidates provides students with awareness of the election and information about candidates they may not otherwise have looked into.
On Oct. 2, students had the opportunity to meet with and talk to Dan Wilson as he came to campus for a meet and greet. This was a great way for students to get more involved in their local politics and advocate for themselves and the issues they want represented in government.
Dan Wilson, via his website, says that “I promise you that I am running first as a Winonan who wants to make Winona better for everyone. That means making sure I deliver on these promises and work with whoever will work with me to make that happen, regardless of the letter behind someone’s name.” He states that he is committed to making Winona a better and more affordable place for families to live by building more housing and increasing the availability of childcare.
Jake Johnson is another Democratic candidate running for the Minnesota Congress. According to his website, his primary goals are to “make groceries and healthcare cheaper, protect social security and Medicare, stand up for our rights and freedoms, and hold 21 town halls—one in each county.” Overall, he states that he is running for Congress so working families, like the one he grew up in, can have more opportunity and resources to succeed and live the lives they desire.
The general elections are November 3, 2026. Historically, midterm elections are very important. According to an article from Brookings, the president’s party usually loses support during the midterm elections, with the president’s job approval having the most impact on the outcome of the elections. According to early polls, it is likely that the elections will again swing against the president’s party and Democrats will potentially win back House majority.
Voting is a vital part of the democratic process. Students should vote for midterm elections, even if they feel the results are not as influential as the presidential election. The midterm elections greatly affect what laws are able to be passed, which influences how our society and government is structured. Whether choosing to support the candidates one club or party supports, or choosing to vote for someone else entirely, it is important to use your voice and participate in democracy by voting.
