2026 US House District 6 Candidate
DFL

“Affordability cannot simply mean watching economic indicators in Washington, it has to mean that a family in Minnesota can pay its bills, afford to go to the doctor, find a place to live, and still have something left at the end of the month.”

— Doug Chapin —

Name: Doug Chapin
Website: https://www.chapinforcongress.com/
Email address: info@chapinforcongress.com
City of residence: Hanover

Professional and volunteer background: 

I have spent nearly 40 years working in and around government, law, elections and public service. I served as elections counsel on the U.S. Senate Rules Committee, practiced election and ethics law, and spent more than a decade leading election initiatives at The Pew Charitable Trusts. I later spent 10 years at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where I founded the nation’s first online undergraduate and graduate certificate program in election administration. I also founded electionline.org, a nonpartisan source for election policy news and information.

Why did you decide to run for a seat in the U.S. House: 

I spent my career studying how government and elections are supposed to work, and I became increasingly concerned about Congress failing to exercise its constitutional responsibilities. The pardons of people convicted of offenses related to the Jan. 6 attack were an important moment in my decision to run. I had friends working on Capitol Hill whose safety I feared that day, and I decided I could not simply sit on the sidelines. I am running because I believe Congress needs to do its job, defend its constitutional role, and be accountable to the people it represents. 

What makes you the best candidate in this race: 

The case I make for my candidacy is based on experience and preparation. I have worked in Congress, practiced law, taught at the Humphrey School, led national election-policy initiatives, and worked with public officials across the political spectrum. I understand how Congress and government institutions work, and my career has focused on finding practical solutions and improving public institutions. I would bring that experience to representing Minnesota’s Sixth District. 

What would be your top 3 priorities if elected to the U.S. House: 

My three priorities would be building an economy that works for working families, making health care affordable and accessible, and restoring a Congress that serves the public and fulfills its constitutional responsibilities.

• On the economy, that means good jobs, livable wages, fair taxes and addressing the costs families face every day.
• On health care, I support moving toward universal coverage through approaches including Medicare for All or a public option and putting patients and providers ahead of insurance company profits.
• And on government, I want Congress to reclaim its responsibility over spending, taxes, tariffs and decisions of war and peace.

If you were elected and could be guaranteed approval on one Congressional bill in the upcoming session, what would that one bill address: 

I would use that opportunity to address health care. No American should avoid seeing a doctor, ration medication or face financial ruin because they get sick. I support moving toward universal health coverage, including approaches such as Medicare for All, so that access to health care depends on what a patient needs rather than what they can afford.

Is the Trump Administration on the right track? Why or why not: 

Not in the slightest. I disagree with the administration on significant questions of economic policy and the constitutional balance of power. Congress has the constitutional responsibility to legislate and make decisions about federal spending and taxation, and it has an essential role in decisions involving tariffs and war. I believe members of Congress should exercise those responsibilities independently rather than surrendering them to any president. I also oppose tax policy that disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Americans while working families struggle with everyday costs.

What should Congress do to address affordability for the American public: 

Congress should focus on the costs families actually encounter every month: health care, housing, food, energy, childcare and other necessities. I support a fairer tax system that asks the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share while allowing working families to keep more of what they earn. I also support expanding access to affordable health care and protecting good-paying jobs and livable wages. Affordability cannot simply mean watching economic indicators in Washington, it has to mean that a family in Minnesota can pay its bills, afford to go to the doctor, find a place to live, and still have something left at the end of the month.