Ettinger wins Dem nod for Minn. House seat

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Former Hormel Foods CEO Jeffrey Ettinger has won a Democratic primary to finish the term of a Minnesota congressman who died in office.

Ettinger, a political newcomer who had far outraised several rivals, easily prevailed Tuesday in a field that included Richard Painter, a University of Minnesota law professor who was an ethics lawyer during President George W. Bush’s administration.

RELATED: Ettinger leading Democrats in MN 1st Congressional District primary

He’ll face the winner of the Republican primary in a special general election Aug. 9 to complete the term of Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, who died of cancer in February.

Former state lawmaker Brad Finstad held a slim lead over state Rep. Jeremy Munson early Wednesday. But the race was too early to call.

The southern Minnesota district is mostly rural and agricultural, with the exception of the cities of Rochester and Mankato, and leans Republican.

 ABC 6 News Now