Soon after news broke of his passing, tributes began flooding in from fellow politicians, including those who often opposed the late Republican’s views.
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a prominent member of the Democratic Party, was among the first to eulogize Hagedorn and offer condolences to his widow, Jennifer Carnahan, on Twitter.
“I’m saddened to hear about the passing of Rep. Hagedorn. He was a fighter for his constituents and a friend to so many, including me,” Klobuchar wrote. “Through his battle against cancer, he showed a level of determination that should inspire us all. My condolences to Jennifer and all his family.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, also a Democrat, also paid tribute to Hagedorn.
“Gwen and I are thinking of Congressman Jim Hagedorn’s family and loved ones today,” Walz wrote on Twitter. “May they find peace during this difficult time.”
Members of Hagedorn’s own party also honored him on Twitter, including Representatives Andy Biggs of Arizona, Claudia Tenney of New York and Joe Wilson of South Carolina.
Wisconsin Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, a fellow Republican, called Hagedorn “a true fighter in his personal & professional life” in a Friday tweet.
“I am saddened to hear about the death of my colleague, Rep. Jim Hagedorn,” GOP Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee posted. “Jim was my good friend and exemplified the best of public service in the House. Mine and Brenda’s prayers are with his family and loved ones today.”
Carnahan noted her husband’s death was peaceful in an emotional Facebook post.
“It is with a broken heart, shattered spirit and overwhelming sadness I share my husband Congressman Jim Hagedorn passed away peacefully last night,” Carnahan wrote, in part. “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.”
She added: “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.”
Hagedorn was known as an ally of former President Donald Trump and voted against certifying President Joe Biden’s election victory the day after the riots on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Hagedorn was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016 and was diagnosed with kidney cancer early in his first term. He was re-elected in 2020, and he announced the cancer had returned in July 2021. In January of 2022, his office that announced he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Update 02/18/22 11:00 a.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more tributes to Hagedorn.
