Our Candidates
Meet the candidates seeking DFL endorsement in 2026 for the chance to send Congressman Tom Emmer home once and for all. You can learn about opportunities to see the candidates in action on our Candidate Forum page.
Doug Chapin
Doug Chapin is running to represent Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District after a long career as a nationally-recognized expert and media commentator on democracy and elections. He spent nine years studying politics, government and law and has over 35 years of experience working in and around public service. Doug served as an attorney in Congress, represented clients in private law practice, and worked as an advocate for federal, state and local election reform nationwide – and built the nation’s first online certificate program in election administration for the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Doug and his partner Stephanie Tomlinson own Sweater Vest Strategies, a Minnesota-based policy research and advocacy firm. He also is the host of Civics Anonymous, a regular series of nonpartisan discussions on the inner workings of law and government behind the current headlines. Doug is the father of three adult children and lives in Hanover.
Jackson Miller
Hello, my name is Jackson Miller and I am running for Congress in MN District 6. I am MN born and raised and currently, I live with my wife in Lino Lakes. I grew up in Prior Lake and graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. I’ve always been interested in politics and like many of us, 2016 is a time when the world seemed to turn upside down. I’ve been in the medical device world for 12 years and in my job, my role is to identify the problem and find ways to solve it. In District 6, it’s very clear that the problem starts and ends with Tom Emmer. I believe that the people in this district are being ignored and overlooked in favor of party politics and the ones in power. People are realizing that they have a voice and want to find a candidate who will fight for them!
That is the reason I am running for MN District 6 seat in the US Congress. It’s time for a candidate who puts the people of this District first. In my current job as a Biomedical Engineer, every decision I make is with the mindset of “How does this impact the patient?” or “Would I still make this same decision if the patient was a member of my own family?”. That’s the same mindset I would approach any legislation if elected, I will always put people first! I look forward to your support moving through this campaign until we get to Election Day 2026.
Austin Winkelman
Austin Winkelman is a proud, born-and-raised native of Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District. Born in Buffalo in 1985 and raised in Section 8 housing, Austin attended Monticello public schools where he gained firsthand experience with the challenges working families face. Determined to build a better life, he pursued higher education at Hennepin Technical College, earning a diploma in Plastics Engineering Technology, graduating with a 3.71 GPA, and receiving two occupational certificates in injection and extrusion molding.
Like so many Minnesotans, Austin has spent his life working hand to mouth, fighting for dignity, opportunity, and fairness. He became an entrepreneur, founding Plastic Man LLC in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where he served as owner-operator for four years. True to his values, Austin transformed his business into an employee-owned cooperative managed democratically—because he believes workers deserve a real voice in the economy.
Today, Austin is a stay-at-home dad raising four incredible children to be responsible, compassionate, and respectful of all people. His family reflects the values of diversity, inclusion, and empathy that guide his campaign and his life.
Austin first ran for office in the 2024 Democratic primary, giving voice to his concerns over woman’s Reproductive Rights by Washington elites. Now he is returning in 2026 as a grassroots independent candidate allied with Democrats, determined to unseat Tom Emmer and put people before corporations. His campaign is built on progressive values: taxing the wealthy, standing up to entrenched oligarchy, and protecting the rights and freedoms of every American.
Austin Winkelman is committed to building an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. Together, the people of District 6 will fight for democracy, justice, and opportunity. United we stand, divided we fall.
