The race to replace the late Representative Jim Hagedorn (R-MN) is a crowded one. Since the special election was announced, some twenty candidates have officially made their bid for office. Minnesota Congressional District #1 (CD1) has often been a close race, and it has the potential to be close again after the passing of Rep. Hagedorn on February 18th. Although the district leans Republican, Hagedorn narrowly won by half of a percentage in 2018. With expectations of another close race, donors have pumped over $1 million to fuel individual campaigns on both sides.
The most well-known candidate on the Republican side is Jennifer Carnahan, Rep. Hagedorn’s widow, and former Minnesota GOP Chairwoman. A recent straw poll gave Carnahan 37% of the vote despite controversies over her record at MNGOP. Last year, questions were raised over her work relationship with Anton "Tony" Lazzaro, who is now serving time for federal sex-trafficking charges, which eventually led to her resignation. Although Carnahan denied any involvement, many GOP employees expressed how Carnahan allegedly turned a blind eye to sexual harassment in the office. Carnahan was later forced to step down from her role as chairwoman, but after her husband’s death she quickly organized a run for the seat he held. In her own words, Carnahan’s bid for office is to “to keep my husband's legacy moving forward." Her campaign has raised $151,400 with $8,000 of her own money going towards the effort.
With 20% in the latest straw polling, Rep. Jeremy Munson, a small business owner from Lake Crystal, Minnesota, has accumulated the greatest cash-flow among the Republican candidates, raising $102,000 and personally loaning $200,000 to his campaign. He has been endorsed by national politicians such as Congressmen Scott Perry (R-PA), Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Jim Jordan (R-OH).
With 9% in the latest straw poll is Brad Finstad, former Director for USDA Rural Development under President Trump. Finstad’s campaign raised $156,000 with a personal loan of $5,800. He has received endorsementsfrom U.S Representatives Michelle Fischbach (MN-7) and Pete Stauber (MN-8).
Other Republican candidates include Bob “Again” Carney jr., Ken Navitsky, Kevin Kocina, Roger Ungemach, Matt Benda, J.R. Ewing, and Rep. Nels Pierson.
The Democratic race for CD1 has a smaller candidate pool but has still had significant success in fundraising.
Democratic candidate Jeff Ettinger, former CEO of Hormel (a food processing company based in Minnesota), leads the race in funds. Even with a later entrance to the race, Ettinger has raised $148,000, with $143,000 on hand. He has gained the endorsements of former Representatives Jack Considine, Kathy Brynaert, and former state Senator Dan Sparks.
Behind Ettinger in the Democratic race is Richard Painter, an ethics lawyer who previously worked for the Bush Administration. Painter raised $22,000.
Other Democratic candidates include George H. Kalberer, Sarah Brakebill-Hacke, Rick DeVoe, Warren Lee Anderson, James Rainwater, and Candice Deal-Bartell.
The primary vote for major parties will occur on May 24th. Online voting in the primary has already started. The two different Marijuana party candidates will automatically advance to the special election. Special election voting will be held on August 9th.
The large dollar amounts pouring into candidates’ coffers from businesses, large scale donors, and individual citizens points to the importance of this rare special election. Whoever wins will only be in office for about 5 months before they must run again in the November elections. Even so, the winning candidate will most likely enjoy an incumbency advantage in November.
The district, which predominately supported Trump in the 2020 presidential election, spans the southern border of the State. It contains the cities of Rochester, Winona, and Mankato.
Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District has seen a tight race shaping up in the short time since the passing of Rep. Jim Hagedorn, and the months to follow will prove instrumental for the candidates vying for Minnesota’s southernmost congressional district. Stay tuned to the Family Beacon for more election-related updates as we approach the crucial 2022 midterms!
