MN-08 Democratic nominee?
$4.8K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGeneral surgeon
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationMinnesota
BackgroundGeneral surgeon
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Notable personal detailsWendell Robert Smith is a Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate who filed to run for the U.S. House in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District in the 2026 cycle. He is a general surgeon and identifies as having served in the U.S. Air Force before practicing medicine in Virginia, Minnesota. His campaign committee was registered with the FEC as "WENDELL SMITH FOR CONGRESS" (C00940916).
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Healthcare
Supports a single-payer, universal healthcare system and describes the current healthcare situation as a crisis that requires urgent action. Emphasizes protecting health care access and preventing cuts to Medicare and Medicaid that could threaten rural hospitals.
Climate & Energy
Supports treating climate change as a major threat and making the U.S. a leader in clean energy while pursuing solutions that grow the economy and lower energy costs; also supports mining to protect local union jobs with the stipulation of domestic mining.
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Public Safety & Guns
Wendell Smith says gun violence is a major concern and emphasizes making guns as safe as possible by ensuring they are locked up and kept out of the hands of people who should not have them. He frames the approach around safety measures rather than proposing to remove weapons from responsible owners.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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