Jim Hagedorn dead at 59: Minnesota Representative passes away after kidney cancer battle as wife says ‘I feel empty’

REPRESENTATIVE Jim Hagedorn has died at age 59 after battling kidney cancer.

The Minnesota passed away "peacefully" on Thursday night, his wife and former GOP chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said in a statement.

"It is with a broken heart, shattered spirit and overwhelming sadness I share my husband Congressman Jim Hagedorn passed away peacefully last night," she said.

Explaining her pain from the "suffocating grief," she adds that she found comfort knowing "Jim is smiling from heaven encouraging us to keep chasing our dreams, loving unconditionally and fighting for the country."

She added that Jim "loved representing the people of southern Minnesota" saying that "there was no stronger conservative in our state than my husband."

She concluded the piece by saying: "I love you. I miss you. I feel empty without you. I will forever be holding your hand."

His wife also shared a photograph from their wedding day, and a photo of her holding his hand.

Hagedorn was initially diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in 2019.

He began receiving care at Mayo Clinic in Rochester where he had a kidney removed as well as cancerous tissues.

Later, in July 2021, Hagedorn announced that his cancer had unfortunately returned.