ROCHESTER, Minn. — First District Republican Congressman Jim Hagedorn excelled in tonight’s KEYC News debate against DFL challenger Dan Feehan.

“Tonight’s debate demonstrated a clear contrast between my conservative solutions and my Democrat opponent’s leftwing policies that are clearly out of touch with First District voters,” said Hagedorn.

“I articulated my bipartisan accomplishments in support of First District farmers, small businesses, and our fine rural hospitals, as well as working with the Trump Administration to secure much-needed federal funding for completion of the Highway 14 Corridor project,” he continued. “I outlined my support for the police and my endorsement by the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police and Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.”

“Dan Feehan, on the other hand, is an ultra-liberal Democrat handpicked by Nancy Pelosi and sent from D.C. to run in a congressional district in which he has never lived before running for Congress,” said Hagedorn.

In the most dramatic moments of the debate, Hagedorn provided evidence of how Feehan was personally paid almost $500,000 by groups tied to national Democrat operatives to run for Congress. During the debate, Feehan denied being compensated in any way from these groups even though his Financial Disclosure forms submitted to the House prove otherwise. Accepting wages while running for Congress and not performing bona fide work is a clear felony violation of Federal Election Commission statutes.

“I challenge my opponent to prove he did the work required to earn nearly half a million dollars from groups known to pay Democrats to run for office,” concluded Hagedorn.