FILE - In this June 10, 2018 photo, then, Minnesota 1st District congressional candidate Jim Hagedorn is seen at a parade in Waterville, Minn. Hagedorn, a conservative Republican from southern Minnesota who followed his father's footsteps into Congress, has died after a battle with kidney cancer, his wife said. He was 59. Jennifer Carnahan said in a Facebook post Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, that Hagedorn "passed away peacefully last night." (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Jim Hagedorn, the two-term U.S. congressman representing the 1st District, has died at age 59.

His death was announced Friday by his wife Jennifer Carnahan.

She wrote in a 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.

“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.”

Minnesota GOP Chairman David Hann tweeted, “Jim lived a legacy of service to our state and our country. Please join us in praying for Jim and his loved ones in this time of sorrow.”

Brown County Republican Chairman Greg Bartz remembers the congressman as hardworking and a good friend.

“Jim was a great congressman for us and represented us well,” Bartz said. “Even when he had cancer he was doing everything he could.”

Bartz remembered after Hagedorn was diagnosed with cancer, he still attended a parade in New Ulm and shook as many hands as he could.

“He didn’t slow down,” Bartz said. “He was a good friend and took time to talk to you.”

Deputy Brown County Republican Chairwoman Beth Griffis is a long-time friend of the Hagedorn family. Griffis’s father and Hagedorn’s father, Tom Hagedorn, were friends. The Griffis family had assisted Tom Hagedorn in his campaign for Congress. Griffis returned the favor when Jim ran.

Griffis said among the best memories of Hagedorn were his visits to her classroom. Griffis is a sixth-grade teacher in Comfrey. Her students had written to Hagedorn, and as a sitting congressman he visited the class on two occasions. His last visit was in October 2021. Griffis said it was a great treat for the students to meet with a member of Congress.

“He was a great guy,” she said.

Hagedorn’s deputy chief of staff, Jim Hahn, said, “The most special thing about Jim was he was the same guy in public as he was in private, and he was the same guy in D.C.”

Hahn considered it a joy to work with Hagedorn. He said the same thing that made Hagedorn a good friend made him a good congressman. Hagedorn loved meeting new people and never thought he above talking to someone.

Hahn also remembered there was never a parade too small for Hagedorn to attend. He would sometimes walk parade routes twice, backward and forwards to shake as many hands as possible.

“The most important things for Jim were Lord, country, family and friends,” Hahn said. “He lived that life.”

Hagedorn was mourned across party lines. Gov. Tim Walz, Hagedorn’s two-time opponent in the 1st District, tweeted, “Gwen and I are thinking of Congressman Jim Hagedorn’s family and loved ones today. May they find peace during this difficult time.”

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin said “I was saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman Jim Hagedorn yesterday evening. I’m sending my deepest condolences to Jim’s family, friends, and loved ones, particularly his wife, Jennifer Carnahan. I hope Jim’s memory brings them joy and peace during this difficult time.”

Hagedorn was born in Blue Earth and was the son of former congressman Rep. Tom Hagedorn.

Hagedorn began his own career as Congress worker with congressman Arlan Ingehart in 1984. He later worked for the U.S. Treasury Department.

Hagedorn’s first two campaigns for the 1st Congressional District were unsuccessful against Walz. In 2018, Hagedorn won a narrow victory for the congressional seat against newcomer Dan Feehan. In 2020, Hagedorn won a second term against Feehan.

Hagedorn was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer in 2019. He received treatment for his cancer at the Mayo Clinic. Through surgery, his kidney was removed as well as cancerous tissues surround it. In July 2021, he announced a reoccurrence of his kidney cancer.

Last month, Hagedorn tested positive for COVID-19. He was vaccinated and was experiencing mild symptoms, but was hospitalized as a precaution as he was being treated for kidney cancer.

Hagedorn’s official cause of death has not been released by the family at this time.