Minnesota’s Democratic Senate nominee, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, has emphasized her bipartisan record while campaigning against Republican Michele Tafoya. However, when asked by Fox News if there were any specific issues she could envision working with former President Donald Trump on, Flanagan was unable to name one, instead accusing his administration of "continued grift."
Flanagan pointed to her work with the Children’s Defense Fund–Minnesota and her time in the state legislature, where she served with a Republican majority and helped pass bipartisan legislation, as evidence of her ability to work across the aisle. "I think that, you know, that proves that I have the ability to work with folks," she told Fox News.
Despite this emphasis on bipartisanship, Flanagan’s campaign platform includes dismantling ICE and supporting Medicare for All. She has also criticized the Trump administration, stating, "Right now, I’m deeply concerned about the Trump administration, the continued grift, making money hand over fist directly from the Oval Office."
Flanagan stated that voters on the campaign trail are looking for someone who will serve as a "check" on Trump, rather than an ally. She argued that Minnesotans want someone to "roll back some of the devastating cuts and impacts on Minnesota."
The race in Minnesota, traditionally a blue state, has become increasingly competitive. Fox News has shifted its rating for the contest from "Likely Democrat" to "Lean Democrat." Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, has sought to make the election a referendum on the Walz administration, citing a significant fraud scandal that occurred under Governor Tim Walz's leadership, in which Flanagan served as lieutenant governor.
In contrast, Tafoya has stated she is a "pro-choice Republican not afraid to stand up to my party." Her campaign ads indicate she will "work with" Trump when he is right and "stand up" to him when he is wrong. Despite some Republican opposition to this stance, Trump has publicly endorsed Tafoya.