Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's lieutenant governor and a progressive Democrat, has won a contentious primary election for the state's U.S. Senate seat, defeating fellow Democrat and U.S. Representative Angie Craig. The Associated Press projected Flanagan’s victory on Tuesday night.
Flanagan secured 58.6 percent of the vote, while Craig garnered 39.5 percent. Flanagan's campaign received endorsements from prominent progressive figures such as Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and Representatives Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna.
The primary race became a focal point for the internal debate within the Democratic Party between its progressive and moderate wings. Craig's campaign sought to highlight Flanagan's record and past statements, particularly concerning a fraud scandal that involved the Somali community and had drawn national attention. Craig argued that Flanagan, as lieutenant governor, had not adequately addressed her responsibilities regarding the scandal.
Flanagan, in turn, accused Craig of echoing Republican talking points. Craig had stated that Republicans were eager to run against Flanagan, believing her to be vulnerable on the issue of fraud.
Key policy differences between the candidates also emerged. Flanagan has expressed strong criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza, referring to them as "genocide" and advocating for a halt to U.S. weapons sales to the country. Domestically, her platform includes support for Medicare for All, universal childcare, national paid leave, a $20 federal minimum wage, and increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy. She has also called for the dismantling of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In contrast, Craig, representing a more moderate stance, was the only Minnesota Democrat to vote for the Laken Riley Act. This legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain non-citizens arrested for or charged with local theft, burglary, larceny, shoplifting, or assault on law enforcement.
Despite Governor Tim Walz not formally endorsing in the primary, his wife, Gwen Walz, supported Craig, indicating a potential rift between the governor and Flanagan. Walz's administration had been affected by the fraud scandal.
Flanagan will face Republican nominee Michele Tafoya in the general election. Tafoya, a former NBC Sunday Night Football sideline reporter, is positioning herself as a candidate focused on common sense and is notable for being one of the few Republicans who supports abortion access up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The Cook Political Report rates Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat as "likely Democratic." Flanagan's victory is seen as part of a broader trend of progressive candidates winning primaries across the country. Recent examples include wins in New York, where candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani were successful, and Colorado, where socialist Melat Kiros unseated long-serving Representative Diana DeGette.