Jay Reeves (Minnesota)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jay Reeves

Democratic Party

Education

Bachelor's

Thomas Edison State University, 2012

Graduate

University of Minnesota, 2019

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

2006 - 2023

Personal

Birthplace

St. Paul, Minn.

Religion

Methodist (United)

Profession

Healthcare professional

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Jay Reeves (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Minnesota's 6th Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on August 13, 2024.

Reeves completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jay Reeves was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2023. He earned a bachelor's degree from Thomas Edison State University in 2012 and a graduate degree from the University of Minnesota in 2019. His career experience includes working as a healthcare professional, union truck driver, and union warehouse worker.

Elections

2024

See also: Minnesota's 6th Congressional District election, 2024

Minnesota's 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Republican primary)

Minnesota's 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 6

Incumbent Tom Emmer defeated Jeanne Hendricks in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 6 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tom Emmer (R)	62.4	260,095
		Jeanne Hendricks (D)	37.4	155,836
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	565

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 416,496
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 6

Jeanne Hendricks defeated Austin Winkelman in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 6 on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jeanne Hendricks	83.8	14,895
		Austin Winkelman	16.2	2,878

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,773
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jay Reeves (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 6

Incumbent Tom Emmer defeated Chris Corey in the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 6 on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tom Emmer	87.0	21,624
	Submit photo	Chris Corey	13.0	3,218

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,842
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Reeves in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jay Reeves completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Reeves' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born in 1975 on the East Side of Saint Paul to 2-teenage parents (Mike and Sharon). I have an identical twin brother, Jeff, a younger brother, Keith, and a younger sister, Sandy. I lived with my mom in the projects, and other places, until I was about four. Then I lived with my dad and my stepmom, for the most part.

In my twenties, I worked at a couple of union trucking companies. I worked on the docks at Yellow Freight in Burnsville and then left there to work for another trucking company, Georgia Pacific (GP) Lumber, in Maple Grove. While at GP, I earned my commercial driver's license and began to drive truck. I worked there for 4 years, got married and started a family.

At age 31, married, with four kids (one was just 5 days old) I left MN for Basic Training in July of 2006. I served the first 6.5 years enlisted, making the rank of Seargent. After completing my Bachelor's Degree in 2012, I applied for a Direct Commission into the Army Medical Service Corps as a Clinical Laboratory Officer and was selected to attend Officer Basic in January 2013.

Unexpectedly, in 2022 I was diagnosed with cancer which is presumed to have been caused by exposure to the burn pits in Iraq. As a result, my military career was cut short, and I was medically retired in July 2023 at the rank of Major. I am healthy now and continue to monitor everything at the Mayo Clinic.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am a person that comes very humble beginnings. My mother was 16 and my father was 19 when my twin brother and I were born. We lived in the projects and lived off of food stamps. I was never handed anything in my life, I have had to go out and earn it.
• My family has a history of military service to this great country. My grandfathers both served during WWII, my younger brother is a Marine (two deployments to Iraq), my twin brother served in the Army Reserves (two deployments to Kuwait), my son is serving on Active Duty in the Army (currently deployed), and I served on Active Duty in the Army for almost 17 years (one deployment to Iraq) and retired as a Major.
• Both of my parents instilled a very strong work ethic into us. They both were union workers. My mom worked for a union printing shop, and my dad worked and retired as a truckdriver and dock worker from the Teamsters Local 120. I also worked as a dockworker for Local 120 for a period of time. Additionally, I worked as a truckdriver and lumberyard forklift operator for a union company. I wholeheartedly support our union workers!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Behavioral/Mental Health Crisis
We have a mental/behavioral health crisis in our communities. and across the Nation. I want to partner with behavioral health specialists to come up with programs beginning with children. If we don't get it right with the children, it becomes exponentially more challenging as teens and adults.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I always looked up to my Uncle Daniel growing up. We were not that far apart in age, so he was like a big brother to me. He was brilliant, funny, charming, and most importantly, down to earth. At a very young age he became the president of a community bank in Wisconsin and was a respected member of his community. I would like to emulate a few characteristics he exhibited. First, he was an amazing family man and dedicated father. Next, I appreciated his work ethic and dedication to success in everything he did. Lastly, his commitment to improving the community that he lived and worked in.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Colin Powell's book "It Worked for Me". Colin Powell was an American Hero!

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Three key characteristics of an elected official, for me, are Integrity, Accountability, and Transparency. We have to trust that our elected officials are doing the right thing when no one is watching and putting the needs of their constituents ahead of their own. Also, our elected officials should be accountable for the mistakes that they make, or laws that they have broken, as all other Americans are held accountable. Lastly, our elected officials should be transparent with the American people on matters that affect our daily lives. Too often we see our elected officials hiding behind some made up "National Security" blanket, when the people deserve to know.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have leadership experience at strategic levels of military health care service that will translate into being a strong leader with innovative ideas and techniques in all areas I will be involved in.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

One of the core responsibilities for our elected officials is to legislate protections for our fellow Americans.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of being a great family man to my wife, children, and grandchildren.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember being in Kindergarten, I believe I must have been five, when the hostages from Iran had been released. I watched it on the tv school and seeing the folks come off of the airplane onto the tarmac was something I will never forget.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was a newspaper delivery boy. I believe my brother and I did this for a few months before we became involved in a sport and couldn't wakeup in the mornings anymore.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book has to be 11-22-63 by Stephen King. The reason I love this book is because I believe it is has some great life lessons. One life lesson that stands out the most is that even given the chance to go be into the future to change a horrible life event, something else may be worse because of it. Sometimes just accepting the worst of things that happen and learning from them is life's best lesson.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

The fictional character I would most like to be is Superman. He is the most perfect superhero, in my opinion.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have struggled with not being able to say no to people, even when I have more pressing things to do.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that representatives should be a microcosm of the citizens they represent. That is to say that representatives need to have significant life experiences that can translate into governmental decision-making processes, improving the lives of those they represent. A life-long politician may be out of touch with their constituents, and not truly represent their values.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The drug crisis in America will have the greatest impact on our nation if we do not step in and start protecting people. Over 100K Americans have died over the last 12 months. This will impact every facet of our society over the next decade if it is not controlled.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I believe that the term length for representatives should be evaluated to possibly be longer. I understand the purpose behind the two-year term but believe a conversation could be had to extend it to three or four years, for stability, if nothing else.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am an advocate for term limits but would like to research the appropriate limit. I would be open to a debate on this issue, given that there are a number of factors that would need to be considered when making a decision this impactful.

Tell us your favorite joke.

My favorite joke may not be appropriate for this audience.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is imperative to have a successful government, at all levels.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Investigative powers in the House of Representatives should be used sparingly and with a clear intent. I believe that our tax dollars are being spend far too freely on investigations that either will not go anywhere, or seem to be vendettas, not based on truths and facts. I would rather they spend time legislating than investigating. However, there are extremely valid issues that need to be investigated, which I do support.

What committees interest you?

I am interested in the Veterans Affairs, Armed Forces, Education and Workforce, Science, Space, and Technology, Oversight and Accountability

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe it is vital that the government be fully transparent with the taxpayer dollars. Far too much of our dollars are going to organizations, companies, programs, and countries without accountability of those dollars. The American people deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent. I want to bring back transparency and accountability to Washington.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Jay Reeves campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House Minnesota District 6	Withdrew primary	$0	N/A**
Grand total			$0	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

2024 Elections

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Government

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Newsletters

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External links

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Candidate

U.S. House Minnesota District 6

Website

Facebook

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Footnotes

[show]

Minnesota's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Amy Klobuchar (D)

Tina Smith (D)

Representatives

District 1

Brad Finstad (R)

District 2

Angie Craig (D)

District 3

Kelly Morrison (D)

District 4

Betty McCollum (D)

District 5

Ilhan Omar (D)

District 6

Tom Emmer (R)

District 7

Michelle Fischbach (R)

District 8

Pete Stauber (R)

Democratic Party (6)

Republican Party (4)