U.S. House, Minnesota 8th Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District?
Pete Stauber has the strongest record in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. Pete Stauber scores 71 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Trina Swanson at 64, as of October 5, 2026. Pete Stauber's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Trina Swanson's highest marks are roots in the constituency and accountability. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Pete Stauber
71 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 55
- Qualifications
- 85
- Performance
- 75
DFL
Trina Swanson
64 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 56
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Pete Stauber
- On the record2020 to 2021
Stauber Brothers Inc., a retailer he co-owned and served as treasurer, received two Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling more than $86,000; both were forgiven, and no rule barred lawmakers' companies from the program.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, July 3, 2023, Star Tribune, Dec. 11, 2020
- On the record2020-10-02
On Oct. 2, 2020, took a Delta flight two days after flying with President Trump, who had since tested positive, despite an airline rule on recent exposure; he said Delta cleared him to fly.
Sources: Associated Press via Albert Lea Tribune, Oct. 3, 2020, Duluth News Tribune, Oct. 3, 2020, Star Tribune, Oct. 3, 2020
- On the record2020-12 to 2021-01
Signed the December 2020 House members' amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, wrote afterward that he accepted the court's ruling, and voted Nay on both objections to state electors on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021.
Sources: U.S. Supreme Court docket No. 155, Original, amicus brief filed Dec. 11, 2020, page xvi, House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021, The Timberjay, Dec. 23, 2020, Duluth News Tribune, Dec. 14, 2020
- On the record2017 to 2018
Used his county email account for campaign correspondence with the NRCC in 2017 and 2018; the county's review found no investigation warranted, and a court ordered the emails released in October 2018.
Sources: Associated Press via The Seattle Times, Oct. 30, 2018, Forum News Service via Grand Forks Herald, Oct. 30, 2018, Duluth News Tribune, Sept. 6, 2018, Duluth News Tribune, Oct. 23, 2018, MPR News, Oct. 17, 2018
- On the record1995-12-16
Was struck in the head by a bullet in December 1995 while a Duluth police officer; a news account places him in a squad car, and his office biography says he was off duty.
Sources: Pine and Lakes Echo Journal (Brainerd Dispatch report), April 10, 2018, Office site, About
- Credit2025-12-11
On Dec. 11, 2025, was one of 20 Republicans who voted for a bill to nullify a presidential executive order and restore collective bargaining for about 1 million federal employees; it passed 231 to 195.
- Credit2023 to 2026
GovTrack lists four enacted bills he sponsored, including the NOTAM Improvement Act (signed June 3, 2023), the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act (Dec. 12, 2025) and H.J.Res. 140 (April 27, 2026).
Sources: GovTrack, enacted legislation, Duluth News Tribune, June 6, 2023, GovTrack, H.R. 452 (119th Congress), GovTrack, H.J.Res. 140 (119th Congress)
- Credit2023
Received the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's 2023 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award.
Source: Global Down Syndrome Foundation
- Credit2000-06-23
On June 23, 2000, he and a sergeant subdued and arrested a man who pointed a 9 mm handgun at them in a Duluth apartment house; the man later went to prison.
- Credit1990s to 2017
Served as a Duluth police officer for more than two decades until retiring in August 2017, and was a union president during that time.
Sources: NHL.com, Feb. 5, 2019, Duluth News Tribune, Dec. 12, 2025
Trina Swanson
- On the record2025 to 2026
Left USCIS in 2025, became a founding partner of the immigration law firm JET Global Solutions LLP, and filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 7, 2026.
Sources: Duluth News Tribune, Jan. 12, 2026, Northern News Now, April 26, 2026, JET Global Solutions, Our Team
- Credit2023-05
Received the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Exceptional Service Gold Medal for her work as a USCIS field office director, as announced by USCIS in May 2023.
Sources: USCIS official account post, May 11, 2023, Department of Homeland Security official account post, May 24, 2023, WDIO, Aug. 2026
- Credit2007 to 2025
Began federal service at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Duluth, then spent about two decades at USCIS, working in Germany and leading its Nairobi and Minneapolis offices before becoming director of international operations.
Sources: The Timberjay, July 9, 2026, Duluth News Tribune, Aug. 12, 2026, USCIS official account post, March 21, 2023
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Pete Stauber. Annual financial disclosure for 2025 is on file with the House Clerk, filed Aug. 5, 2026. FEC reports are on file. No House Ethics Committee or FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10075454, House Committee on Ethics site search for Stauber, FEC administrative fines search
Trina Swanson. Candidate financial disclosure report is on file with the House Clerk, filed June 9, 2026. FEC reports are on file. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10079936, FEC administrative fines search
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Pete Stauber. Voted Nay on both Jan. 6 and 7, 2021 electoral vote objections, when House Republicans voted 121 to 83 and 138 to 64 in favor. Voted Aye on H.R. 397 in 2019, when Republicans voted 29 to 168.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 505, July 24, 2019
Trina Swanson. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Pete Stauber. Took part in the Aug. 4, 2026 FarmFest congressional candidate forum with his opponent. WTIP reported on Sept. 9, 2026 that he has held telephone town halls and appeared at several events in Minnesota this year.
Sources: Northern News Now, Aug. 4, 2026, WTIP, Sept. 9, 2026
Trina Swanson. Took part in the Aug. 4, 2026 FarmFest congressional candidate forum. Announced a six-stop public town hall tour across the district and held the first stop in Brainerd in September 2026.
Sources: Northern News Now, Aug. 4, 2026, WTIP, Sept. 9, 2026, Lakeland PBS, Sept. 18, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Pete Stauber. Served on the Hermantown City Council (2001 to 2005, 2011 to 2013), the St. Louis County Board (2013 to 2019) and in Congress since 2019. No House Ethics Committee conduct record found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Pete Stauber, House Committee on Ethics site search for Stauber
Trina Swanson. Worked about two decades at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, rising to director of international operations. No formal conduct finding found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Pete Stauber. Listed as an amicus on the December 2020 House members' brief supporting Texas in Texas v. Pennsylvania. Voted Nay on both electoral vote objections on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021 (Roll Calls 10 and 11).
Sources: U.S. Supreme Court docket No. 155, Original, amicus brief filed Dec. 11, 2020, page xvi, House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021
Trina Swanson. Served about two decades as a federal employee at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
Source: Star Tribune
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Pete Stauber. Serving his fourth term in the U.S. House, in office since Jan. 3, 2019. Earlier served as a St. Louis County commissioner, Hermantown city councilor and Duluth police officer.
Sources: Office site, About, GovTrack, MN-8
Trina Swanson. Former director of international operations for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a senior federal post. Now founding partner and attorney at JET Global Solutions, LLP. Has not held elected office.
Sources: Star Tribune, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Pete Stauber. Chairs the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. Sponsored legislation with specific terms, including a bill to overturn a 225,504 acre mineral withdrawal in the Superior National Forest.
Sources: GovTrack, committee membership, Office site, Energy and Natural Resources
Trina Swanson. Published positions through the Ballotpedia survey and news interviews, including more staff to process asylum applications, more immigration judges and a ban on stock trading by members of Congress.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Trina Swanson, Duluth News Tribune, Aug. 5, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Pete Stauber. Holds telephone town halls, offers an e-newsletter and took part in the Aug. 4, 2026 FarmFest forum. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and did not respond to KAXE's election guide questionnaire.
Sources: WTIP, Sept. 9, 2026, Northern News Now, Aug. 4, 2026, Office site, home page, Ballotpedia, Pete Stauber, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026
Trina Swanson. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and KAXE's election guide questionnaire, took part in the Aug. 4, 2026 FarmFest forum and began a public town hall tour.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Trina Swanson, KAXE 2026 Election Guide, Sept. 28, 2026, Northern News Now, Aug. 4, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Pete Stauber. Born in Duluth in 1966 and lives in Hermantown, where he first served on the city council in 2001. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 63 percent of individual contributions from Minnesota.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Pete Stauber, Office site, About, FEC contribution totals by state
Trina Swanson. Grew up in Duluth and Hermantown, graduated from Hermantown High School and lives in Hermantown. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 80 percent of itemized individual contributions from Minnesota.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Trina Swanson, candidate survey, Duluth News Tribune, Aug. 12, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Pete Stauber. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 22, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Trina Swanson. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 22, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Pete Stauber. Legislative Effectiveness Score of 2.424 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 1.464, which the Center for Effective Lawmaking classes as exceeding expectations. GovTrack counts 4 enacted bills as primary sponsor.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking, Find Legislators, 118th Congress House table, Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, enacted legislation
Trina Swanson. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Pete Stauber. Missed 114 of 3,869 roll call votes, 2.9 percent, from January 2019 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Trina Swanson. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Pete Stauber. Lists four district offices, in Brainerd, Forest Lake, Chisholm and Hermantown, and offers help with federal agencies. News reports in 2025 and 2026 document telephone town halls.
Sources: Office site, home page, WTIP, Sept. 9, 2026, Brainerd Dispatch (Duluth News Tribune report), April 1, 2025
Trina Swanson. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Pete Stauber. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of 0.09767 in the latest posted House scores (118th Congress, 2023), ranked 113 of 436.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores
Trina Swanson. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Pete Stauber. No public record found.
Trina Swanson. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District?
Pete Stauber has the strongest record in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District. Pete Stauber scores 71 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Trina Swanson at 64, as of October 5, 2026. Pete Stauber's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Trina Swanson's highest marks are roots in the constituency and accountability. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Minnesota's 8th Congressional District in 2026?
Pete Stauber (Republican, incumbent), Trina Swanson (DFL). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Pete Stauber a good candidate for Congress?
Pete Stauber scores 71 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 55 of 100, qualifications 85 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Trina Swanson a good candidate for Congress?
Trina Swanson scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 56 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Minnesota race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Minnesota 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.