US Rep. Hagedorn dies at age 59

(KSTP) – U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn. 1st District, has died.

Hagedorn’s wife and former GOP chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan confirmed the news with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Friday morning.

He was 59.

Hagedorn was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in 2019 and began receiving care at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He announced he had a kidney removed as well as cancerous tissues surrounding the kidney.

Then in July 2021, he announced a reoccurrence of his kidney cancer.

Carnahan issued the following statement via social media:

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.