MN District 1 Special Election: Here's What To Know

MINNESOTA — A special election in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District will be held this year to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Jim Hagedorn, who died in February while battling cancer.

The special primary will be held Tuesday, May 24, and the special election will be held on Aug. 9.

Prospective candidates must submit their paperwork to the Minnesota Secretary of State by March 15.

So far, Republicans Ken Navitsky and Bob Carney Jr. have signaled their intent to run. It's not yet clear which Democrats will run, but Dan Feehan — who narrowly lost against Hagedorn in the 2020 general election — does not intend to run again.

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 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."