MINNEAPOLIS - US Representative Jim Hagedorn, a conservative Republican from southern Minnesota who followed in his father's footsteps in Congress, died after a battle with kidney cancer, his wife said. He was 59 years old.
Jennifer Carnahan said in a Facebook post on Friday that Hagedorn "died peacefully" on Thursday night.
"Jim loved our country and loved representing the people of Southern Minnesota," Carnahan wrote. "Every moment of every day she lived her dream by serving others. There was no stronger conservative than my husband in our state, and it shows how he voted, led and fought for our country."
Under state law, Governor Tim Walz must call a special election to fill the vacancy. Hagedoorn's district leans toward Republicans, and it didn't change much when maps of the state's new congressional district were released Tuesday. Haddorn led the district by less than half a percentage point in 2018 over Democrat Dan Feehan and by 3 points in a rematch in 2020. No Democrat has campaigned for the seat in the current cycle. President Donald Trump leads the district in 2020 with about 54% of the vote.
Hegdorn was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer in February 2019, shortly after starting her first term, and just months after marrying Carnahan, then state president of the Minnesota Republican Party.
He did immunotherapy at Mayo Clinic. The treatment made his cancer so far back that doctors felt safe to take out his affected kidney in December 2020, which he said had removed an estimated 99% of the cancer in his body. But he announced in July 2021 that his cancer had returned.
Hagedoorn represented the first district, which spans southern Minnesota.
He won the seat in 2018 on his fourth attempt, after countless appearances at small-town parades and county fairs, and after nearly ousting the then-rep. Tim Walz in 2016. In both his 2018 and 2020 races against Democrat Dan Feehan, Hagdorn touted his staunch support for Trump and conservative positions.
"I want to partner with the president," he was fond of saying during the 2018 campaign.
Trump spent their time campaigning together in a statement Friday, calling Hagedorn a "strong and effective legislator" who "will be greatly missed."
In office, he voted against ratifying the election of President Joe Biden just hours after the failed Capitol rebellion, and he called on the U.S. to reverse Biden's victory. Signed with other House Republicans to the last gasp to get to the Supreme Court. He was actively raising funds for another run in 2022.
"During his service, Jim's focus was always on the priorities of the region: agriculture, small business, transportation, and our world-class health care system," his campaign said in a statement. "In addition, he will always be known as a staunch conservative who championed a fair tax policy, American energy independence, a power foreign policy through peace, and the way of life and values of southern Minnesota."
Hagedorn was the son of former Congressman Tom Hagedorn, who represented the same area from 1975–83. After receiving his degree from George Mason University in suburban Washington, he worked as an aide to Rep. Arlan Stanjland of Minnesota, then with the Treasury Department before returning home to Minnesota and beginning his long search for a seat in Congress. Worked in liaison positions.
"Jim was living up to the legacy of serving our state and our country," David Hahn, the current president of the Minnesota GOP, said in a statement. "Please join us in praying for Jim and his loved ones during this time of sorrow."
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy called Hegdorn "a patriot who will be remembered for his strong Christian faith, his deep passion for serving others, and his joyful spirit."
"Even as he battles cancer, Jim never stops working to improve the lives of his constituents and those of his fellow Americans," McCarthy said in a statement. "He always put others ahead of himself."