ST. PAUL, Minn. – With the deadline to file candidacy papers for southern Minnesota’s MN-1 Congressional primary ballot only days away, the big question is whether the widow of Congressman Jim Hagedorn will run. Jennifer Carnahan, who married Hagedorn in 2018, is well connected in Republican circles albeit also a hot potato. She is a former state GOP chair. It is not uncommon for a spouse to succeed a member of Congress. Although politically ambitious, Carnahan has deferred on questions about running. The filing deadline is Tuesday for a special primary election in May to fill the remaining months of Hagedorn’s MN-1 seat. There then will be the general election on in November for the next two-year session of the U.S. House.
Christmas 2018 wedding. In San Francisco. Congressman Jim Hagedorn died in February at age 59. Carnahan is 46.
Her liabilities
Carnahan once was a rising star in the Minnesota Republican politics. Jn 2017 she became the first Asian American to chair the party. But she has acquired unfortunate baggage. She was forced out as chair in 2021 after a close associate, high-ranking donor and her co-host of the party’s “Truth Matters” podcast, was accused of sex trafficking. Also, in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential campaign, Carnahan went out on a limb in suggesting there had been irregularities in Minnesota vote-counting. She ended up with egg on her false. There was no foundation for her claims other than unflinching allegiance to President Donald Trump. The fact is that Trump lost the state 52% to 45%. On a relatively petty scale yet revealing and disturbing, Hagedorn’s Congressional staff worked to obtain free entry and private, guided tours for Carnahan at several national parks and landmarks. Ut was a violation of House rules.
Carnahan profile
As a baby, she was left on the back doorstep of a rural hospital in South Korea and then adopted by a Minnesota family. Carnahan grew up in the northwest Minneapolis suburb of Osseo. At Syracuse University she majored in broadcast journalism. She earned a master’s in business from the University of Minnesota. Her career included corporate positions in Minneapolis at McDonald’s, General Mills and Ecolab. At Ecolab she founded an Asian employee network to support thousands of Asian employees. She was elected as a delegate to the 2016 Republican national convention. Also in 2016 she ran for State Senate in the 59th District but lost incumbent Democrat Bobby Joe Champion. She was elected state GOP chair in 2017. Her motto for the Party: “Make Minnesota Red.” Republicans, however, didn’t do well. By 2020 every statewide office was held by a Democrat.
2016 GOP national convention. Carnagan with the Mjnnesota delegation.
Crowded MN-1 GOP field
Although there are only a few days left for candidates to file for the GOP primary ballot, it’s already a crowded field. The line-up:
Declared candidates:
> Matt Benda of Albert Les, an agricultural law attorney.
> Bob Carney Jr. of Minneapolis, a school bus driver.
> Brad Finstad of New Ulm, former state USDA director of rural development. Also a former state representative.
> Kevin Kocina of Hastings, a pipefitter and Marine veteran.
> Ken Navitsky of Rochester, former Minnesota State University-Mankato placekicker and monster truck enthusiast.
> Jeremy Munson of Lake Crystal, a state representative.
> Nels Pierson, of Rochester, a state representative.
> Roger Ungemach of Minneapolis, a software and radio studio engineer.
Possible candidacies:
> Jennifer Carnahan, former chair of the Minnesota Rdoubican Party and Hagedorn’s widow.
> John Berman. Electronic engineer who has run for the U.S. Senate in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
> Dave Senjem of Rochester, a state senator.
Not this time:
> Jason Baskin, Austin City Council member.
> Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa, a state representative, who has declared for the State Senate.
> Carla Nelson of Rochester, a state senator who is seeking re-election.
> Julie Rosen of Vernon Center, a state senator.
Politico explores GOP’s Carnahan conundrum
In an exhaustive news article on the possibility of Carnahan candidacy reporter Olivia Beavers of the Politco began: “The late GOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn’s widow is laying the groundwork to try to seek his old seat in Minnesota, according to multiple well-placed Republicans who are already raising alarms about her polarizing background.” Beavers’ widely sourced story also said: “For Republicans on Capitol Hill, at least, Carnahan’s prospective candidacy would cause a number of headaches. Behind closed doors, Hagedorn’s friends in the House GOP worry she is trying to capitalize on his legacy to leapfrog into the seat after facing serious allegations last year that she presided over a toxic work environment at the state party.” Also from Beavers’ reporting;
> Carnahan phoned House Speaker Kevin McCarthy that last week – the day after her husband’s memorial service in Virginia.
> Carnahan also spoke the same day with Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, the top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, on which Hagedorn served. From Thompson, Carnahan learned that he would be endorsing Brad Finstad, another Republican in the MN-1 race with strong agriculture credential lon agriculture.
> Michael Brodkorb, former deputy chair of the Minnesota Republican party: “She has a lot of unresolved political baggage that will put the congressional district in play for the Democrats. Carnahan candidacy.” Brodkorb feels tat a Carnahan candidacy would “bring an unnecessary level of drama and resurface some unresolved issues.” The party, he said, would preferrs to leave those issues in the past.
> About her critics, Carnahan said: “Strong leaders frequently end up with enemies. You could pick almost any member out of the Congressional register and come up with similar attacks.” About criticcism from a former GOP aide, Carahan said: “I suggest you look at the history of Michael Brodkorb and his credibility as an accuser. I made and maintain many great friendships from my service in the Republican Party of Minnesota.” the Carnahan pointed to laudatory comments from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a fellow Trump enthusiast. The relevance of Noem to MN-1 politics was unclear.