Jim Hagedorn latest Republican to jump in race to challenge Walz.
Republican Jim Hagedorn is the latest Republican candidate to jump in the race in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Hagedorn, son of former GOP Congressman Tom Hagedorn. Here's part of the release from Jim Hagedorn.
"The greatness of America is under assault by the liberal politicians who run Washington, D.C.," said Hagedorn. "The big government agenda of President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Tim Walz is in direct conflict with our free enterprise system and the enduring principles of liberty, individual opportunity, personal responsibility and traditional cultural values."
"Washington, D.C. is out of control," Hagedorn continued. "Our leaders are spending borrowed money faster than it can be printed, taxing and regulating producers into submission, plotting the takeover of whole sectors of our economy and driving us toward European socialism." "Tim Walz claims to be a thoughtful moderate, but his complete embrace of the Obama-Pelosi agenda has exposed Tim Walz as a thoughtless liberal," said Hagedorn.
"I left Capitol Hill and returned to help the people I love the most because this country is worth defending, our way of life is worth saving and the people of Southern Minnesota are worth fighting for," Hagedorn stated.
A native of Blue Earth, Jim worked with his dad and grandfather on the family's grain and hog farm located just outside Truman. In 1974, Jim's father, Tom, was elected to Congress to represent Southern Minnesota, which he served until 1983. "Living on the farm and being part of our rural communities ingrained in me the small town values that have sustained me throughout life," Hagedorn said.
Hagedorn's announcement comes one day after state Rep. Randy Demmer entered the race. Former State Sen. Allen Quist is also running.
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Side note:
I'm expecting Hagedorn to call me. I'll post the interview here when he does.
Here's an interview with Hagedorn:
Update: DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez released this statement on Hagedorn:
"Typical of the 'Party of No,' Jim Hagedorn is jumping into the First District race by launching baseless partisan attacks at Representative Walz -- because Hagedorn himself has no substance to run on.
"Jim Hagedorn is a 25-year Capitol Hill operative turned lobbyist, now trying to use his connections to buy himself a seat in Congress. He is yet another Republican hoping to cozy up to right-wing tea-baggers to further his own ambitions. The Tea Party Republicans are constantly attacking government of any form, so it will be interesting to see how they receive Jim Hagedorn, who has been a federal-government insider for nearly all his adult life.
"Throughout his tenure, Representative Walz has fought for southern Minnesotans in Congress and has consistently delivered -- working to create jobs and help families deal with the skyrocketing costs of health care. The hard work that Representative Walz puts in for Minnesota's families every day, and the results that he has delivered, show how an effective representative operates."