Hagedorn Building Post-Election Momentum
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HAGEDORN BUILDING POST-ELECTION MOMENTUM Republican congressional candidate Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota’s First District surged to within four-tenths of one percent of defeating incumbent Democrat Tim Walz in 2016 (Walz 169,074 – Hagedorn 166,526). Had only 2 voters per precinct switched from Walz to Hagedorn, southern Minnesota would have a new Republican Congressman. Though outspent by more than 4-1, Hagedorn ran the second closest Republican challenger race in the nation. Of the 170 Democrats running for re-election to the U.S. House, only one, Rep. Brad Ashford of Nebraska, lost to a Republican. Hagedorn’s strong showing has generated positive post-election momentum, including: . The NRCC, led by Chairman Steve Stivers and Deputy Chairman Tom Emmer, has already targeted MN-01 for Republican takeover. Minnesota’s Freedom Club (not to be confused with the congressional Freedom Caucus) endorsed Hagedorn and delivered over $40,000 in contributions. Hagedorn raised $221,000 in the first quarter of 2017 (Jan. 1 – March 31). National political pundit organizations Inside Elections by Nathan Gonzales and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted MN-01 ratings from “Safe Democratic” to “Toss Up.” The Cook Political Report moved the First District from R+1 to R+5. Former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz endorsed Hagedorn and serves as the campaign’s finance chairman. Congressman Tom Emmer of Minnesota’s Sixth District endorsed Hagedorn. Tim Walz announced in late-March that he will not seek re-election to Congress. # # # Checks to: Friends of Hagedorn; 11 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 007; Mankato, MN 56001 Contact Jim on: [email protected] | (507) 351-7799 | www.jimhagedorn.org PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF HAGEDORN .