U.S. House Rep. Jim Hagedorn Dead At 59

MINNESOTA — Jim Hagedorn, a Republican who represented Minnesota's 1st District in Congress, died Thursday night.

Hagedorn, 59, was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer in February 2019 and received continued care and immunotherapy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. In July 2021, the congressman announced that kidney cancer had resurfaced.

Hagedorn’s wife, former Minnesota GOP chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan, wrote a tribute to him on social media Friday morning:

It is with a broken heart, shattered spirit and overwhelming sadness I share my husband Congressman Jim Hagedorn passed away peacefully last night.

Jim loved our country and loved representing the people of southern Minnesota. Every moment of every day he lived his dream by serving others. There was no stronger conservative in our state than my husband; and it showed in how he voted, led and fought for our country.

Jim was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, friend, brother-in-law, son-in-law, Vikings, Penguins and Twins fan and will be missed and remembered by many.

While nothing can accurately prepare you for the unimaginable pain, intense sorrow, suffocating grief and seemingly never-ending emptiness that engulfs the entire body, soul and spirit when your forever love passes away; at least we can smile knowing Jim is smiling from heaven encouraging us to keep chasing our dreams, loving unconditionally and fighting for the country.

Jim Hagedorn, I love you. I miss you. I feel empty without you. I will forever be holding your hand.

Hagedorn was first elected to represent Minnesota's 1st District in 2018 after Tim Walz left to run for governor. Hagedorn was re-elected in 2020.

Hagedorn's final piece of legislation that he introduced in Congress was a resolution to place a national debt clock in the House Chamber.

“The American people deserve full transparency about this nation’s fiscal affairs, and this resolution will be a strong reminder to lawmakers as they vote on proposals that could put our country further in debt," Hagedorn said when he introduced the bill on Feb. 9.

"Its display will provide more transparency to the American people and serve as a reminder to lawmakers as they vote on proposals that will increase the national debt."

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