Congressman Jim Hagedorn Dies: 'He Lived His Dream By Serving Others'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Congressman Jim Hagedorn has died, according to his wife. He was battling kidney cancer.
Former GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said that Hagedorn "passed away peacefully" on Thursday night. He was 59 years old.
"Jim loved our country and loved representing the people of southern Minnesota. Every moment of every day he lived his dream by serving others," Carnahan said.
In July 0f 2021, Hagedorn announced that his kidney cancer resurfaced.
In early January, Hagedorn was under observation at Mayo Clinic after he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated, and had "very mild symptoms." Due to his cancer treatment, he said his doctors asked that he stay and receive medical care for the virus at Mayo Clinic.
Minnesota GOP Chairman David Hann said he was saddened to hear of the passing.
"Our hearts go out to his wife Jennifer and all his loved ones in this difficult time. Jim lived a legacy of service to our state and our country. Please join us in praying for Jim and his loved ones in this time of sorrow," he said.
Gov. Tim Walz also reacted to the death Friday morning, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff statewide until the end of Saturday.
Hagedorn represented Minnesota's First Congressional District, which covers southern counties touching Iowa, since 2019. He was born in Blue Earth in 1962.
In his youth, his father, Tom Hagedorn, was elected to Congress to represent Minnesota's Second Congressional District.
After college, Jim Hagedorn began serving Minnesota's Seventh District as Republican Congressman Arlan Stangeland's legislative assistant.
He married Carnahan in 2018.
According to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a special primary for the seat will be held May 24, with early voting by absentee beginning April 8. The special election for the seat will be held Aug. 9, with early voting by absentee beginning June 24. The special election will take place within the current congressional district boundaries, not the new 2022 redistricting maps.
The candidate winning the special election will serve the remainder of Hagedorn's term.
