Is Jake Johnson endorsed by Tim Walz?

Yes. On July 16, 2026, Gov. Tim Walz announced from his own Instagram account that Jake Johnson was one of Small Town PAC's first-ever endorsements. Small Town PAC is the political action committee Walz personally founded in April 2026. Source: Small Town PAC (@timwalz, Instagram, July 16, 2026); smalltownpac.com.

Who funds Jake Johnson's campaign for Congress?

Small Town PAC, the PAC founded and funded by Gov. Tim Walz, endorsed Jake Johnson and has solicited donations for his campaign through Election Day. Johnson's own campaign website and literature do not mention the endorsement. Source: Small Town PAC (@timwalz, Instagram, July 16, 2026).

What is Jake Johnson's record as a math teacher?

Jake Johnson taught mathematics for 16 years at John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minnesota. Math proficiency at that school is reported at 28 to 30 percent, well below the Minnesota state average of roughly 45 percent. Sources: SchoolDigger and PublicSchoolReview (MCA data).

Is Jake Johnson an independent candidate?

Jake Johnson is the DFL (Democratic) candidate for Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. He describes himself as a homegrown, independent voice, but he was hand-picked and endorsed by Gov. Tim Walz's Small Town PAC, announced by Walz himself on July 16, 2026.

Who is paying for jakefails.com?

Jakefails.com is prepared and paid for by the Republican Party of Minnesota, 7400 Metro Blvd., Suite 424, Edina, Minnesota 55439-2374. It is not coordinated with or approved by any candidate.

MN-01 · Jake Johnson for Congress?

Why Is Jake Johnson Keeping This a Secret? The answer is simple: he doesn't want you to know he's hand-picked.

Jake Johnson says he's a homegrown, independent voice for southern Minnesota. What his campaign won't tell you: Tim Walz personally announced Johnson as one of the very first candidates endorsed and funded by Small Town PAC, the PAC Walz founded to hand-pick his successors in races just like this one.

Demand Answers →

Why is Jake Johnson keeping this a secret? Tim Walz pointing; Jake Johnson photo stamped Endorsement Hidden.

A carefully built "independent" image. A quietly funded campaign.

July 16, 2026

Walz announced Johnson as one of Small Town PAC's first-ever endorsements, from his own account

$ $ $

Small Town PAC funds and promotes Johnson's campaign, soliciting donations through Election Day

28–30%

Math proficiency at the school where Johnson taught math for 16 years, versus a state average near 45%

0

Mentions of the Walz endorsement on Jake Johnson's website or campaign literature

The Walz–Johnson Connection

Follow the money and the endorsement. It runs in a straight line from the governor who walked away from his own re-election bid to the candidate who calls himself independent.

Step 1

Tim Walz

Founded Small Town PAC in April 2026 after abandoning his own re-election bid amid Minnesota's welfare fraud scandal.

Step 2

Small Town PAC

Walz's vehicle for hand-picking candidates. Its first-ever 2026 endorsement slate was announced by Walz himself.

Step 3

Jake Johnson

Candidate, MN-01. "Small Town PAC's first 2026 endorsement." Funded and promoted by the PAC, with donations solicited through Election Day.

Walz personally founded Small Town PAC in April 2026 after abandoning his own re-election bid amid Minnesota's welfare fraud scandal.

On July 16, 2026, Walz announced from his own account that Jake Johnson was one of Small Town PAC's first-ever endorsements, directly soliciting donations for Johnson's campaign through Election Day.

Source: Small Town PAC (@timwalz, Instagram, July 16, 2026); smalltownpac.com

Small Town PAC graphic: Governor Tim Walz endorses Jake Johnson for US Congress in Congressional District 1 — The endorsement Jake's campaign site leaves out: Walz's own Small Town PAC announcement.

Side by side: Tim Walz on a rally stage and Jake Johnson speaking at a DFL event — Same party. Same playbook. Same hand-picked candidate.

Jake Fails: The Official Report Card

Jake Johnson likes to say, "If my students did math like politicians, they wouldn't pass my class." So we graded him on his own record.

Official Report Card

Rochester Public Schools · Southern Minnesota District

Grading period: 2026 campaign cycle

Subject 1: Mathematics

16 years taught at John Marshall High School. Math proficiency at his school: 28–30%, well below the state average of roughly 45%.

F

Subject 2: Independent Leadership

Claims to be a homegrown, independent voice. Reality: hand-picked, one of Small Town PAC's first-ever 2026 endorsements, the PAC Gov. Tim Walz personally founded and funds. Announced by Walz himself, July 16, 2026.

F

Teacher's comments "Jake talks a good game about math and independence, but the record tells a different story. Sixteen years of sub-30% math proficiency, and a campaign quietly funded and hand-picked by Tim Walz. Voters deserve better than a candidate who can't back up his own claims."

Official Report Card for Jake Johnson: Mathematics, Grade F. Independent Leadership, Grade F.

Student: Jake Johnson · School: MN-01 Congressional Race · Source: SchoolDigger, PublicSchoolReview (MCA data); Small Town PAC (@timwalz, Instagram, July 16, 2026)

Three Questions Jake Johnson Needs to Answer

Why doesn't your website or campaign literature mention that Tim Walz's Small Town PAC endorsed you and is funding your campaign?
How can you call yourself an independent voice when you were hand-picked by the governor who founded the PAC that promotes you?
After sixteen years of sub-30% math proficiency at your school, why should voters trust your math on their tax dollars?

Jake Won't Tell You. We Will.

Southern Minnesota deserves a candidate who is honest about who is backing him. Add your name and demand Jake Johnson come clean about his Walz connection.