Hagedorn, 59, dies after battle with kidney cancer

First District Rep. Jim Hagedorn died Thursday night following a two-year battle with kidney cancer, his wife announced Friday. He was 59.

“It is with a broken heart, shattered spirit and overwhelming sadness I share my husband Congressman Jim Hagedorn passed away peacefully last night,” wrote Jennifer Carnahan, a former chairwoman of the Minnesota Republican Party.

“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.”

Hagedorn, who was serving his second term in Congress, was first diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer after a routine checkup in February 2019 and had been receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

By September 2020, Hagedorn reported that he was responding well to the treatment and that there were no signs of progression. Tests performed in July 2021, however, found that the cancer had returned.

“I’m saddened to hear about the passing of Rep. Hagedorn,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar said in a tweet Friday morning. “He was a fighter for his constituents and a friend to so many, including me. Through his battle against cancer, he showed a level of determination that should inspire us all. My condolences to Jennifer and all his family.”

Hagedorn was first elected to Congress in 2018 after two failed bids for the First District seat, which stretches across southern Minnesota.

A conservative Republican, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Tom Hagedorn, who represented Minnesota in Congress from 1975 to 1983.

During his nearly two terms in office, Hagedorn served on the House committees for agriculture and small business. In 2021, he voted against the certification of President Joe Biden’s election.

Hagedorn’s death creates a vacancy that will need to be filled through a special election called for by Gov. Tim Walz. The statute states that “if a vacancy occurs more than 22 weeks but fewer than 27 weeks before the state primary, the governor must issue a writ within three days of the vacancy for a special election for that office to be held on the day of the state primary with a special primary held 11 weeks before the state primary.”

Cover photo: Hagedorn in 2019 / Med City Beat