Former Minnesota GOP chair, Jennifer Carnahan, will run in the special election for her late husband's seat in the House of Representatives.
Carnahan, widow of Rep. Jim Hagedorn, made the announcement on Monday morning in a statement first provided to Fox News Digital.
“I am proud to announce my candidacy to represent Minnesota’s First Congressional District. Though my heart is still heavy after Jim’s passing, the encouragement I have received from throughout southern Minnesota has inspired me to carry on his legacy by running to complete the remainder of his term,” wrote Carnahan.
Carnahan's announcement comes almost one month after Hagedorn, 59, died at the age of 59 following a battle with kidney cancer.
On February 25, Callahan told WCCO Radio's Vineeta Sawkar that she had not decided whether or not she would seek the House seat.
"I think it's disappointing to see people talking so much about this and floating different names out there," she said. "We need to honor and continue to remember my husband."
Carnahan on Monday wrote that Hagedorn urged her to run.
“In the final weeks before his passing, Jim told me to keep forging ahead, to keep reaching my dreams, and to win this seat. Jim was my best friend and the love of my life, and it is his blessing that strengthens me for the challenges ahead. I am committed to continuing my husband’s legacy of fighting to secure the border, defending conservative values, safeguarding the integrity of our elections, and serving the people of Minnesota’s First Congressional District.
Carnahan most recently served as chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, but resigned after a federal grand jury indicted prominent Republican fundraiser and podcast co-host Anton Lazzaro on child sex trafficking charges in Aug. 2021.
Filing for candidacy must end March 15th, with a special primary on May 24th.
