Congressman Finstad Declines KTTC Interview Ahead of Planting Season

KTTC reaches out to First District representative during spring recess, but meeting does not materialize.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:21pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a solitary tractor parked in a field, the vehicle's form and shadows creating a sense of contemplative isolation against a backdrop of warm, golden light and deep, moody shadows.The missed opportunity for an interview with Congressman Finstad underscores the challenges media outlets face in accessing federal lawmakers, especially during election years when press time is limited.Rochester Today

KTTC attempted to schedule an interview with Congressman Brad Finstad, the Republican representative for Minnesota's First District, during his recent time in the district over the spring recess. However, the meeting did not happen, despite KTTC viewing the interview as timely given the economic challenges facing farmers as the spring planting season gets underway, with the ongoing war in Iran impacting the costs of doing business.

Why it matters

As a fourth-generation farmer himself, Finstad's perspective on the issues facing southern Minnesota farmers would have provided valuable insight during this critical time of year. KTTC had planned to ask Finstad about the high input costs farmers are seeing on essentials like fuel and fertilizer due to the disruption in the global oil supply because of the Middle East conflict.

The details

KTTC reached out to Finstad's communications director on March 30, who said they were working to find time to set up the interview in the Congressman's schedule, but there was no additional follow-up. Finstad's social media pages show he met with various local groups and organizations during the spring recess, but no media advisories were shared with KTTC about his scheduled activities in the Rochester area.

  • Finstad is seeking his third term in Congress.
  • KTTC will be sitting down with Finstad's Democratic challenger, Jake Johnson, later this month.

The players

Congressman Brad Finstad

The Republican representative for Minnesota's First District, who is a fourth-generation farmer in the New Ulm area.

Jake Johnson

The Democratic challenger for Minnesota's First District congressional seat.

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The takeaway

This missed opportunity for an interview highlights the challenges media outlets can face in accessing federal lawmakers, especially during election years when press time is limited. It also underscores the importance of Finstad's perspective on the issues facing his farming constituents as they prepare for the critical spring planting season.