You’d be hard pressed to find a Minnesotan who doesn’t know the political fires burning under Gov. Tim Walz’s leadership. Taxpayer fraud is estimated to be over $1 billion and climbing.
Thanks to the DFL trifecta led by Gov. Walz, we have seen foolish spending and massive proposed tax increases for 2026. The exodus of the rich, middle class, and businesses is expected to continue. Our educational system is a failure as evidenced by poor test scores and school violence.
Just over half of Minnesota’s students are not meeting reading standards while only 45% are meeting math standards. Science competency is a disaster with slightly more than 73% of students who aren’t rated as proficient, according to a KSTP report.
Politicians come and go, so why am I any different?
Like someone interviewing for a job, appearance and presentation are important but equally so are accomplishments. A well-articulated young recruit fresh out of bootcamp may look impressive on a resume, but this is not the same as a middle-aged special forces soldier who served two terms in Afghanistan. This is about telling people about your accomplishments and solutions. Thanks to my service on the St. Cloud City Council, I’m battle-tested, having fought for transparency and against corruption.
In November 2017, I stood alone on the Council while facing various threats opposing my refugee resettlement moratorium. Media in Minnesota, New York, Florida and beyond contacted me looking for a juicy story. The proposed moratorium (not a ban) addressed the violation of federal statutes aimed at increasing transparency—imagine how important that would’ve been in preventing Medicaid fraud!
Although I wasn’t initially successful in implementing the moratorium with my lone affirmative vote, I eventually got Lutheran Social Services (LSS) to comply with federal statutes (see 8 USC 1522) requiring “state and local officials to be consulted” before refugees are placed directly into a refugee resettlement city. LSS reluctantly started holding quarterly public meetings as stated in 8 USC 1522 so taxpayers could see how and where their tax dollars were being spent. It’s a bit ironic that LSS was led by then-President/CEO Jodi Harpstead in 2017. Gov. Walz later appointed Harpstead to be Minnesota’s DHS commissioner, who stepped down earlier this year.
As a political special forces fighter and as a patented inventor, I’ve identified creative solutions to fix problems. Minnesotans are thirsting for someone who is both a fighter and solutions oriented. Some inventors like me have created a brand-new invention while other inventors obtain a patent to make something that exists better. Both have value. My temporary refugee moratorium was a simple, creative solution to a problem that was not well received by the ruling class.
Fighting fraud
If elected governor, my solution to combating fraud is straightforward.
Step 1 requires the appointment of highly ethical men and women into positions within the executive branch who are competent and want to do the right thing by serving We the People of Minnesota.
Step 2 is to develop a rigorous auditing system with AI integration for all state agencies that will occur no less than twice per year.
Step 3 is to develop a fraud tip line where employees can receive an award for actual cases of fraud that get exposed. Under the Johnson administration, a more aggressive clawback of stolen taxpayer monies will be implemented.
High taxes & job losses
The old adage holds true: “Capital goes where it is welcome.” The obsession Gov. Walz has with socialism clearly makes capital an enemy of the state. It was reported this fall that 125 Star Tribune employees will be laid off when the company shuts down its printing facility while moving these jobs to Iowa. Other companies have left Minnesota completely. According to the Anderson Independent Mail, Electrolux left Minnesota in 2019 after laying off around 760 employees and headed for South Carolina and expanded their operations. Part of the solution to keep and attract new businesses is to reduce oppressive regulations and high taxes. How? Eliminate wasteful spending on a $1 million city bathroom, cut fraud, cut $31 million for DEI programs, eliminate unfunded school mandates, and the list goes on.
Minnesota is in real trouble. The next governor needs to be battle-tested and solutions-oriented. If not, then expect residents and their wealth to flee our precarious state.
Jeff Johnson is a Minnesota-born conservative candidate for governor who previously lived on a dairy farm in southern Minnesota. Johnson is a former St. Cloud City Councilmember from 2010-2018. He is not the former Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson who ran against Tim Walz in 2018.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not represent an official position of Alpha News.
Jeff Johnson
Jeff Johnson is a Minnesota-born conservative candidate for governor who previously lived on a dairy farm in southern Minnesota. Johnson is a former St. Cloud City Councilmember from 2010-2018.
