NEW ULM — Former U.S. Department of Agriculture official Brad Finstad on Monday filed his candidacy in the special election to fill Minnesota’s District 1 seat in Congress.

Finstad, R-New Ulm, is running to fill the unexpired term of U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-Truman, who died Feb. 18. Five candidates filed for the seat as of Monday.

The candidate filing deadline is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15. The write-in filing deadline is 5 p.m. on Aug. 2.

A special primary election is set for Tuesday, May 24. The special selection is Tuesday, Aug. 9.

“Like all of you, I was incredibly saddened by the passing of Jim Hagedorn,” Finstad said last week. “He worked tirelessly for our district. I was thankful to have him as my congressman. In the days since, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement for me to run in the special election in the House of Representatives. It would be an incredible honor to represent my family, friends and neighbors across southern Minnesota in Congress.”

The Finstad for Congress website described him as a conservative fighter running for Congress to fire Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House and put the brakes on the out-of-control Biden/Pelosi agenda that is fueling inflation and hurting southern Minnesota families.

“I am running for the future of my family, your family, and our country,” Finstad said. “As a proven conservative, I will work towards putting the brakes on the out of touch Biden/Pelosi agenda that is fueling inflation and hurting southern Minnesota families. Our children are worth fighting for!”

Finstad said his priorities if elected include giving Washington a strong dose of southern Minnesota values.

“Our families are being hit in every direction with the current administration. From our pocket books, our schools, our public safety, we have issues to fix,” said Finstad. “I will work on slashing inflation, restoring American energy independence, getting control of the border, and ending the COVID mandate madness.”

Finstad served as former Minnesota state director for USDA Rural Development in President Donald Trump’s administration.

His other former positions include executive director for the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association and Director for the Center for Rural Policy & Development and Minnesota Farm Bureau area director.

Finstad served three terms representing Brown, Watonwan and Redwood counties in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

He joins four other candidates who filed for the special election, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website: Republicans Bob “Again” Carney Jr. of Minneapolis, Ken Navitzky of Rochester, Richard W. Painter, D-St. Paul and District. 23B Rep. Jeremy Munson, R-Lake Crystal.

“After much thought and prayer, and with the encouragement of my wife and family, I’m officially running to Congress to represent my neighbors in Minnesota’s 1st District,” read Munson’s Facebook post.

“As your Congressman, I will always put America first, and defend your Constitutionally protected, God-given rights,” he added. “My proven record shows I will remain principled and am willing to right against the lobbyists, corrupt DC insiders, and crony capitalists for the people in Minnesota’s 1st District.”

On his state representative website, Munson listed taxes and spending, small businesses and jobs in rural Minnesota, pro-life, farmers, Second Amendment, roads and bridges, government reform, schools and education and childcare as his issues.

Navitzky, a Rochester sales executive, is a former monster truck show emcee.

“Difference of opinion, skin color, background or economic status should not separate us. Our differences should make us stronger. We need to stop focusing on what separates us and start fighting for what holds us together.” reads Navitzky’s website.

“By listening and working together, lives can be saved, and mountains can be moved. We, and only “we” together determinate our future.”

A University of Minnesota law professor, Painter said he isn’t a politician and won’t pretend to be.

“It seems that politicians only listen to donors, lobbyists and small groups of activists rather than the people they represent,” reads Painter’s website.

He called clean water Minnesota’s greatest asset.

“We need to advance regenerative agriculture and address climate change, because we owe it to our grandchildren,” read Painter’s website. “Congress needs to pass legislation setting aside additional federal funds for emergency cash relief for farmers that will be dispensed promptly in response to future drought, flooding or other severe weather conditions.”

He ran for 2018 Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nomination for U.S. Senate, losing to Sen. Tina Smith in the primary election.

Carney ran for Minneapolis major in 2021. He earlier ran for state senate twice and for Minnesota governor once.