Monday night, a debate in Congressional District 1 between incumbent Jim Hagedorn and challenger Dan Feehan was supposed to take place, produced by KAAL-TV in Rochester and simulcast on WCCO Radio.
That debate has now been cancelled due to concerns about Hagedorn's exposure to COVID following President Trump's visit to Minnesota. According to a tweet from News Talk 830 WCCO political analyst Blois Olson, the campaigns were unable to agree on accommodations for production and COVID-19 safety concerns.
The Congressman issued a statement on the cancellation shortly after the the news of the debate being called off.
“While I did not meet the criteria of having ‘close contact’ with the President, or anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, out of an abundance of caution, yesterday I was administered a second COVID-19 test. Like the first test, I am happy to report the result came back negative. I look forward to campaigning full time and in all 21 counties of Minnesota’s First District.”
Hagedorn flew to Duluth on Air Force One last Wednesday with the president and two other Minnesota congressmen, Tom Emmer and Pete Stauber. The president had coronavirus at that time and was contagious. Hagedorn has since tested negative and flew back to Washington on a Delta flight.
Despite the negative test, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, asymptomatic individuals should wait 5-7 days after an exposure to get tested. Anyone with symptoms should seek out a test immediately.
Since it is still inside that seven day window, both parties have agreed to cancel tonight's debate for now.
Congressional District One was a very tight race in the last Election when Hagedorn defeated Feehan. They were separated by just over 1,300 votes. The rematch is setting up to again be one of the closest contested races in the country.
