In August, Republican and Independent voters in southern Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District will have the opportunity to select a candidate in the Republican primary election to represent us in Washington, D.C. It’s important we choose wisely.

I’ve studied the candidates’ positions and how they’ve run their campaigns, and the clear choice for me is Jim Hagedorn.

Since his razor-thin loss by just four-tenths of a percent in 2016, Jim has traveled the district, literally from border to border, listening and learning. He’s met with farmers, small business owners, law enforcement, health care and education professionals, non-profit administrators and dozens of other thought leaders to learn the issues of importance to them.

Jim’s hard work has made a difference. A few weeks back, Jim was overwhelmingly endorsed at the large gathering of 1st District Republican activists, beating his opponent with over 76 percent of the vote.

Running for Congress isn’t easy. It takes an incredible amount of time, personal sacrifice and commitment. It’s refreshing to see a candidate so engaged in that effort, and I’m confident Jim Hagedorn will take that same dedication to Washington to serve the people of southern Minnesota.

Ethan Young

Austin