Hagedorn Proposes Eight Debates in CD 1 Race Tags:

Press Release

Jim Hagedorn, Republican candidate for Congress in Minnesota's First Congressional District, today proposed eight in-district candidate debates moderated by representatives of First District television, radio and newspaper outlets. The proposal is a stark contrast with that of the three debates suggested by Hagedorn's DFL opponent Dan Feehan.

"Our district stretches from the South Dakota border to the Wisconsin border, and includes 21 counties and over 12,000 square miles. I propose at least eight debates be held to ensure voters in every region of the First Congressional District have an opportunity to attend and learn the issue positions of me and my DFL opponent Dan Feehan," said Hagedorn.

The debate locations in the Hagedorn proposal include Worthington, Fairmont, Mankato/New Ulm, Albert Lea/Austin, Winona, Rochester (2 debates) and Owatonna. The debates could be held as morning, afternoon or evening events to be as inclusive of voter work schedules and host/sponsor requirements as possible.

"Issues matter," said Hagedorn, "and voters deserve to know where we stand on the challenges facing our state and nation, our priorities if elected, and what we hope to accomplish in Congress. A series of debates will allow us to move beyond the sound bites and 30-second ads, and have a substantive conversation about the future," said Hagedorn.

In the 2016 election, Hagedorn received 49.6% of the vote against six-term incumbent Tim Walz, who is not seeking re-election to Congress. Minnesota's First District is considered the best pick-up opportunity in the country for U.S. House Republicans.

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