Dan Feehan Concedes to Hagedorn Ten Days After Election

Democrat Dan Feehan conceded in the race for Minnesota’s First Congressional District on Friday, nearly 10 days after his loss to Republican Jim Hagedorn.

For the second time in a row, Minnesota’s First District was the closest race in the state, and one of the closest in the country, but Hagedorn was declared the winner after earning 0.45 percent more of the vote. While Hagedorn’s slim margin of victory didn’t trigger an automatic recount, election officials did spend several days certifying the results, and that process was completed Friday.

“Since Election Day, counties across our district have engaged in the process of going back over precinct totals to make sure that their numbers were reported accurately. Today, the last county finished that exercise and the final count shows us down a mere 0.45 percent, which is just shy of the margin that would trigger a recount,” Feehan wrote Friday.

He went on to congratulated Hagedorn “on his victory,” and encouraged the congressman-elect to “represent each and every voice in Congress.”

“While this was not the result we were hoping for, it is important to recognize that we are privileged to live in a nation where each vote is counted and every voice is heard; where democracy is the law of the land,” Feehan continued. “I am proud to have fought for those ideals as a soldier and was proud to fight for them here on the campaign trail.”

In his concession, Feehan discussed the “dark money” groups that spent “millions against” him during the campaign, commending his staff for making the race “the most competitive race in the country.”

“In the face of this, we brought out the best of southern Minnesota—where neighbors help one another and everyone does their part,” he added.

While Feehan stopped short of saying he would run again in 2020, he concluded by telling his supporters that his “work is just beginning.”

“The fight for decency and service oriented leadership continues. I cannot tell you how eager I am to remain on the front lines, fighting with you,” Feehan said.

Despite the close race, Hagedorn had already declared victory and attended the orientation for freshmen members of Congress this week. Minnesota’s First Congressional District, which was previously represented by Gov.-elect Tim Walz, was one of two districts in the state to flip from blue to red.

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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].