Jennifer Carnahan, the widow of former Minnesota Republican Rep. Jim Hagedorn and former Minnesota Republican Party chairwoman, has officially announced that she is planning to run for his seat as part of the special election of the 1st the District of the state.
Hagedorn passed away last month after a long fight with kidney cancer, which has left a seat open that has sparked a special election for the now vacant spot.
“I am proud to announce my candidacy to represent Minnesota’s First Congressional District. Though my heart is still heavy after Jim’s passing, the encouragement I have received from throughout southern Minnesota has inspired me to carry on his legacy by running to complete the remainder of his term,” stated Carnahan in a release.
Former Minnesota GOP chair Jennifer Carnahan, the late Rep. Jim Hagedorn's widow, officially announced she's running in #MN01 pic.twitter.com/4x3WuQzzaH
— Erin Covey (@ercovey) March 14, 2022
“In the final weeks before his passing, Jim told me to keep forging ahead, to keep reaching my dreams, and to win this seat,” Carnahan stated. “Jim was my best friend and the love of my life, and it is his blessing that strengthens me for the challenges ahead. I am committed to continuing my husband’s legacy of fighting to secure the border, defending conservative values, safeguarding the integrity of our elections, and serving the people of Minnesota’s First Congressional District.”
While speaking of her husband, Carnahan also highlighted her overall goal to “disrupt the status quo” out in Washington.
“During the Trump administration we saw economic and regulatory reform, US energy independence, trade deals like the USMCA – initiatives that created jobs and provided opportunity to people across the country – including right here in southern Minnesota,” Carnahan tacked on in her statement. “Jim and I saw the rest of President Trump’s conservative vision stonewalled by the left and some in the Washington establishment. While DC insiders are lining their pockets; hard working Minnesotans are languishing beneath record inflation, a lawless border and higher input costs for agriculture, impacting all of America.”
“I am running to disrupt the status quo and get Washington working for the people again,” she stated.
Carnahan also tweeted out her recent announcements.
“It’s official. I’m running to honor my husband’s wish that I run for, and win, his seat. Jim fought so hard to put Minnesota first. I promise you I will continue his fight,” she tweeted.
https://twitter.com/jkcarnah/status/1503337895393902592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1503337895393902592%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2Fgop-congressmans-widow-announces-run-for-house-to-carry-on-his-legacy
Carnahan has officially stepped up with a group of eight other Republican candidates, six Democrats, and one Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate, as reported by Associated Press.
The official deadline for candidate registration is set for Tuesday. The primary for this upcoming special election is slated to take place on the 24th of May, with the election results expected to be out by the 9th of August in order to complete Hagedorn’s term.
“Carnahan, who served as the Chairwoman for the Republican Party of Minnesota from 2017-2021, also served on the White House Initiative for Asian American and Pacific Islanders by former President Donald Trump,” stated KSTP-5 TV in a report.
“However, the former Minnesota Republican Party Chair could face some criticism – she resigned last year after disgraced Republican donor and strategist, Anton Lazzaro, was charged with child sex trafficking. Lazzaro had close ties to her,” claimed the report. Carnahan has vehemently denied the claims.