Biography
John Nagel is the Republican nominee in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. A retired Minnesota State Patrol field lieutenant, he spent roughly 30 years with the patrol and, according to his campaign website, is running on public safety, immigration enforcement and lower federal spending.[1]
According to his campaign website, John Nagel is a lifelong resident of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, and lives in the home his grandfather built.[1] He studied criminal justice at the University of St. Thomas, where he interned with the Edina Police Department and rode along with Saint Louis Park officers.[1]
Nagel entered the Minnesota State Patrol Academy in 1981 and served about 30 years as a state trooper, patrolling Hennepin County, working as a safety consultant for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and serving on the Governor's security detail.[1] He rose to Sergeant at the State Patrol Training Academy, overseeing traffic safety programs, and retired as a Field Lieutenant in 2011; his campaign site lists the State Patrol's Meritorious Service Award and an Employee of the Year honor.[1]
After retiring, Nagel taught defensive driving and college courses on terrorism and world governments, served on the Minnesota Twins security team, and became a Minnesota DNR youth firearm instructor, according to his campaign website.[1] He says he has been married to Connie since 1988 and has two children and a grandchild.[1]
- 1.Nagel for Congress · Nagel for Congress campaign website · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
