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The special primary election in Minnesota’s first Congressional District this week narrowed the field of candidates for an August special election.

Republican Brad Finstad came out on top in his party and Jeff Ettinger won the DFL primary.

Now they’ll compete in a special election in August to determine who fills the remaining months of former Rep. Jim Hagedorn’s term. Hagedorn died in February after battling cancer. 

And the Legislature ended its session after lawmakers missed a deadline to pass major tax and spending bills. Some Republicans say the work can wait until after the November election, while Democrats want a special session. 

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks to Brad Finstad and Jeff Ettinger about how they won their parties' nominations and how the next round of the campaign is shaping up. Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen also will join Mike to talk about what he thinks should happen to Minnesota’s budget surplus and DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman will weigh in on a special session.

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Republican Brad Finstad and Democrat Jeff Ettinger will face off in the August special election to fill the remainder of the term of the late U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn. Each won their party primary this week. MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks with them both and also about what’s next after the Legislature ended its session without passing tax cut and spending bills. 

Republican Brad Finstad and Democrat Jeff Ettinger will face off in the August special election to fill the remainder of the term of the late U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn. Each won their party primary this week. MPR News Politics Friday host Mike Mulcahy talks with them and also with Republican candidate for Minnesota governor Scott Jensen and Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park), Speaker of the Minnesota House.

The race in Minnesota’s first Congressional District and what's next at the Capitol

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