Rep. Jim Hagedorn (R-Minn.) has died following a battle with kidney most cancers, his household revealed on Friday. He was 59.
“It’s with a damaged coronary heart, shattered spirit and overwhelming unhappiness I share my husband Congressman Jim Hagedorn handed away peacefully final night time,” Hagedorn’s spouse, former Minnesota state GOP chair Jennifer Carnahan, said in a Facebook tribute.
“Jim cherished our nation and cherished representing the folks of southern Minnesota,” Carnahan added. “Each second of every single day he lived his dream by serving others. There was no stronger conservative in our state than my husband; and it confirmed in how he voted, led and fought for our nation.”
Hagedorn was elected to signify Minnesota’s First District, which covers the southern portion of the state, in 2018. He was recognized with stage 4 kidney most cancers in February 2019, simply six weeks into his first time period and two months after marrying Carnahan.
The lawmaker went public along with his prognosis in February 2020 after present process surgical procedure and greater than a 12 months of immunotherapy therapy on the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
“At present, one 12 months later, I’m pleased to say I really feel nice and proceed to carry out my job in Congress unimpeded,” Hagedorn stated on the time. “I’ve not missed even a single vote as a result of sickness.”
In July final 12 months, Hagedorn revealed that his most cancers had returned.
“Be assured, I’ll proceed to battle for America and serve the folks of Minnesota’s First Congressional District with the best stage of power and enthusiasm,” Hagedorn stated after receiving the second prognosis.
“I stay upbeat and consider the longer term as vivid. Jesus Christ is watching over me,” he added.
This previous January, Hagedorn revealed that he had examined constructive for COVID-19, however was vaccinated and experiencing “very delicate signs.”
In paying tribute to her husband, Carnahan stated Hagedorn was a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew and good friend who can be “missed and remembered by many.”
She added that he was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Twins.
“Whereas nothing can precisely put together you for the unimaginable ache, intense sorrow, suffocating grief and seemingly unending vacancy that engulfs the whole physique, soul and spirit when your ceaselessly love passes away; no less than we will smile realizing Jim is smiling from heaven encouraging us to maintain chasing our goals, loving unconditionally and preventing for the nation,” Carnahan stated.
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) was amongst those that paid tribute to Hagedorn, praising him for his dedication to public service.
“Jim and I served within the U.S. Home throughout a time of many nice challenges for our nation and for our state — and all of the whereas, he bravely endured the non-public problem of most cancers therapy with dignity and beauty whereas serving our nation and his constituents,” she said in a statement.
“Regardless of our coverage variations on many points, Jim and I have been united within the widespread objective of attaining higher alternatives for future generations of Minnesotans.
“I wish to supply my deepest condolences to Jim’s household and the folks of the First Congressional District throughout this troublesome time. The Minnesota Congressional delegation is grateful for Consultant Jim Hagedorn’s service to our nation.”
“Gwen and I are pondering of Congressman Jim Hagedorn’s household and family members as we speak,” tweeted Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who defeated Hagedorn in two hotly contested Home elections in 2014 and 2016. “Might they discover peace throughout this troublesome time.”
