Blue Earth resident Jim Hagedorn was endorsed by the Republican Party as their choice for candidate for the First Congressional District seat currently held by Democrat Tim Walz.

Hagedorn won the endorsement on the first ballot at the endorsing convention held in Mankato on Saturday, April 21. He received 76 percent of the vote, compared to challenger state Sen. Carla Nelson of Rochester.

Nelson said she plans to still challenge Hagedorn in the primary election in August.

Hagedorn has twice run for the congressional seat against Walz, narrowly losing to him in 2016 by less than half a percentage point.

Walz is not running for another term in Congress, and instead is running for the governorship of Minnesota.

“It’s an honor to be endorsed by the Republican activists who form the backbone of our part, and I look forward to working shoulder-to-shoulder with them over the next 199 days to ensure our common sense conservative message is delivered to every home, farm, business and campus across the First District,” Hagedorn said after receiving the endorsement.

Meanwhile, at the Democratic First District convention held in Le Sueur, also on April 21, North Mankato resident Dan Feehan won the DFL endorsement, defeating three other candidates also seeking the party backing.

Feehan received the 60 percent needed in the second round of balloting, after having 53 percent in the first round.

The other candidates were Joe Sullivan of Mankato, Rich Wright of Rochester Township and former state Sen. Vicki Jenson of Owatonna. All have said they will not challenge Feehan in the August primary.

“The DFL congratulates Dan Feehan on his well-deserved endorsement in Minnesota’s First Congressional District,” said Minnesota DFL Party chairman Ken Martin. “As a soldier, teacher, and Pentagon official, Dan Feehan has dedicated his life to public service. Dan would bring this spirit of service with him to Washington and fight to improve the lives of families across Southern Minnesota.”

Hagedorn also received some words of congratulations from the Republican Party.

“First District Republicans overwhelmingly gave Jim Hagedorn their first ballot endorsement quite simply because he earned it,” Minnesota First District Republican chair Carol Stevenson said. “This strong demonstration of unity and support proves delegates believe Jim best reflects the views and values of southern Minnesotans and that his strong campaign committee and tireless work ethic provides our party with the best opportunity to win the November election.”

Minnesota’s First Congressional District is considered an important contest nationally. After having been held by Republicans for many years, Walz kept it Democratic for the past 12 years.