MINNESOTA — Three new candidates filed papers Thursday to enter the special election for Congress in Minnesota’s First District.

The three new candidates — former Hormel Foods CEO Jeff Ettinger; Albert Lea agriculture law attorney Matt Benda and Red Wing small business owner Richard DeVoe — officially filed to enter the race to fill the unexpired term of U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-Truman, who died Feb. 18.

Ettinger served as CEO of Hormel from 2005 until 2016 and is running as a Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate.

“Our country faces significant challenges and people have lost trust in the leaders of both political parties,” Ettinger said in a press release. “I’ll bring a common-sense approach to Congress, and I don’t care whether an idea is a Democratic idea or a Republican idea. I only care whether it’s a good idea. I’ll work to bring both sides together to get things done for the people of southern Minnesota and for the country.

“I’m not a politician,” Ettinger continued. “I’m a business leader and ran one of the largest companies in southern Minnesota. I’m proud of the work our team did at Hormel to grow the company and provide more opportunities for our employees, but I’m equally proud of our work in making 2022the Austin community a better place to live. I’d like to continue that work for all of southern Minnesota.”

Richard DeVoe owns and runs Fair Trade Books in Red Wing. In announcing his campaign, DeVoe said, “I will be challenging each member of the DFL party that I encounter during this campaign to be a better Democrat. What this means is different for everyone, but together we must rally to accomplish something big-something that will dramatically improve people’s lives. What our campaign proposes is the Full Employment Plus program. I am committed to leading Congress in enacting this into law.

“Our campaign is about more than just electing a good rep for Southern Minnesota,” DeVoe continued. “Our campaign is your cause, and our efforts will help re-root democracy and renew our commitment to the common good.”

Benda is Albert Lea attorney running as a Republican candidate. According to the Albert Lea Tribune, Benda has been active in the Freeborn County Republican Party over the years and previously ran for the House District 27A seat.

The Tribune quoted Benda as saying, “Congressman Jim Hagedorn was a tireless advocate for these foundational pillars, and I would be honored to carry on his work in these critical areas.”

The Tribune said Benda wanted to return the country to energy independence, bring down the cost of gas, lead the charge for fiscal sanity and against wasteful spending and regulations.

In total, 13 candidates have filed for the special election. Seven GOP candidates have filed, including Bob “Again” Carney Jr., Ken Navitsky, Brad Finstad, Jeremy Munson, Kevin Kocina, Roger Ungemach and Benda.

Five DFL have candidates filed including; Richard W. Painter, George H. Kalberer, Sarah Brakebill-Hacke, DeVoe and Ettinger.

Richard B. Reisdorf of the Legal Marijuana Now party also filed.

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 election is Tuesday, Aug. 9.