Minnesota Senate District 40 Candidate Guide
Who is running for MN Senate District 40 in the 2026 General Election?
Meet the candidates running for MN Senate District 40: Rachel Japuntich and John Marty.
Below is a candidate guide to get to know each candidate with information curated based on campaign websites, publicly available information, and responses to a Roseville Reader candidate questionnaire. The candidates were given the same amount of time to complete the questionnaire and the same word count limits.
Rachel Japuntich
Republican
Campaign website
Rachel Japuntich works in engineering for a medical device company. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Bioproducts Engineering from the University of Minnesota and later a Masters in Business Administration from Carlson School of Management. Outside of work, Japuntich serves as a Ramsey County Election Judge. She also serves on the Shoreview Economic Development Commission and Shoreview Economic Development Authority. Japuntich is a Roseville Area High School graduate and now lives in Shoreview with her husband and three children.
"I feel our state is heading in the wrong direction and with my engineering background, I would collaboratively help find solutions to the problems facing our state. I am a fiscally responsible moderate and support term limits of elected officials," Japuntich said in response to the questionnaire.
Japuntich's campaign priorities include reducing taxes, addressing fraud, improving public safety, addressing educational achievement gaps, and term limits for elected offices.
Why are you running for elected office?
"Minnesotans have shared desires; we want good educations for our children, to live in safe neighborhoods, and to afford to live comfortably. I think we all can agree that these areas need improvement, we may have different opinions on the approach. The current approach is not working and it is time to try a different approach. I will bring a logical, data driven voice to the legislature. The state needs to get back to the basics and focus on education, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. It is our country’s 250th birthday this year, the whole point of voting in a democracy is to hold our elected leaders accountable when things are not working and vote them out."
What are some of your legislative priorities for the next legislative session?
"Taxes and fraud need to be addressed. Taxes continue to increase in all areas; sales taxes, income taxes, tab fees, and property taxes. Like subscriptions, they all add up to higher costs. Minnesota has always been a high tax state, but we are not getting the quality services we expect for it anymore. We all need to balance our check books for our families and we expect our state government to do the same. People work hard for their money and they expect it is being spent wisely and not going to fraud. Fraud is not only stealing from tax payers; it is hurting the people the money was intended to go to in the first place. Fraud is unacceptable. These are non-partisan issues and we should be able to work together to make it work."
How would you work to make life better for ordinary people living in the Roseville area?
"Ordinary people and businesses are getting crushed by rising taxes. Roseville has a lot of local businesses in the city that provide jobs and services for the residents in Roseville and surrounding area. We need to take a look at our state budget and remove overly burdensome regulations and taxes that drive up the costs. We want our residents and businesses to continue to be able to afford to live and operate in Roseville."
What are your priorities when it comes to public education?
"As a graduate of our state’s public education system, I believe our public schools can provide a foundational education for students to be successful in life. However, today our public-school students are falling behind. We must do better for our students, teachers and parents – our students are the future of Minnesota. To improve our public education, we need to reduce unnecessary burdens on our teachers so they spend more time doing what they love – teaching students. We also need to reduce state mandates to allow school districts the freedom to better serve the unique needs of their students."
How do you plan to connect with residents in the Roseville area and their local city leaders to represent their unique interests at the state level?
"I have met with many residents, business owners, and local city leader from all of the cities I would represent, including Roseville. You can also contact me on my website, Rachel4MN.com, or send me an email, Rachel4MN@gmail.com."
What else do you want voters in the Roseville area to know about you?
"I like to knit. If you were at the Rose Parade, you would have seen my 10-foot knit parade sign I hand knit. You can see the video of me making it on my website, Rachel4MN.com. Thank you for your time and consideration."
John Marty (incumbent)
Democratic Farmer-Labor
Campaign website
John Marty is running for re-election to the Minnesota Senate to represent District 40. He attended St. Olaf College in Northfield and received a B.A. in Ethics in 1978. He was first elected in 1986 and became known for his work in ethics and campaign finance reform. Marty is an advocate for investment in public education and the author of the Minnesota Health Plan, a single-payer health plan to cover all Minnesotans. Marty is the former chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and he is currently the chair of the Finance Committee. John lives in Roseville with his wife Connie. They have two adult children.
"Connie and I chose to make our home in Roseville. We love the community and have never been prouder than this year, when people gave incredible support and protection for neighbors during the ICE surge," John Marty wrote in response to the questionnaire.
Marty's campaign priorities include government ethics, environmental protection, economic & racial justice, and health care reform.
Questionnaire Responses:
Why are you running for elected office?
"Minnesota has so much potential – an opportunity to build safe secure communities where children and adults can learn and grow, where all people have affordable housing and healthcare.
My proposals for affordable healthcare, a clean, sustainable environment, and economic stability for families face powerful political opposition. I have been fighting powerful corporate interests, often passing policies others dismissed without trying.
We need affordable healthcare for all, without exception. I will continue doing everything I can, to pass the proposed Minnesota Health Plan, delivering quality affordable care for every Minnesotan."
What are some of your legislative priorities for the next legislative session?
"Among many priorities:
I will continue working to protect people from federal agents who have assaulted and abused many of our neighbors. Campaign finance reform and government ethics are needed more, now than ever, and I continue my work on that.
Although Minnesota has less violent crime than other states, any violent crime is too much, and I continue pushing crime prevention initiatives, including responsible regulations of firearms to begin addressing the deadly epidemic of gun violence that is now the leading cause of death for young people.
Addressing climate change is more urgent than ever, even while some politicians mock climate concerns and others ignore them. Without bold action, future generations will pay a deadly price.
I will continue fighting corporate subsidies, because billionaires don't deserve tax breaks when ordinary people struggle to pay the bills."
How would you work to make life better for ordinary people living in the Roseville area?
"I am working for a fair economy. Minnesotans face growing challenges paying for housing, health, food, and transportation. It is unacceptable to have people who cannot afford basic living expenses in the wealthiest country in the world. I am fighting against corporate subsidies, and working for fair, progressive tax policies, higher wages, and affordable housing. Also, I continue pushing to fix the dysfunctional healthcare system, so all people get comprehensive care, not insurance plans that deny care."
What are your priorities when it comes to public education?
"Making sure that teachers and schools have the resources and support they need to deliver a quality education for all. Ensuring that all students are safe and secure in school, with strong action to prevent bullying. We also much protect schools from people who want to ban books and block student access to information and perspectives they don't want students to see."
How do you plan to connect with residents in the Roseville area and their local city leaders to represent their unique interests at the state level?
"I enjoy working with Roseville city leaders and local residents to pass responsible public policy. I learn by listening to, and working with, others. It is helpful to hear different perspectives, and we all benefit when sharing insights and ideas."
What else do you want voters in the Roseville area to know about you?
"It is an honor to be able to represent people in Roseville, and I will continue to do my best to build stronger, healthier communities."
Candidate Forum & Speakouts
The League of Women Voters Roseville Area held a candidate forum for the MN Senate District 40 candidates. Both candidates were invited, but only John Marty participated.
NineNorth invited the candidates to participate in a "Speakout" in which they each had an opportunity to share their campaign pitches. Both candidates participated:
Prepare to Vote
Find out what else is on your ballot, check your voter registration, and locate your polling place:
Additional Roseville-specific election coverage:
