Peggy Flanagan and Michele Tafoya advance to Minnesota’s Senate general election

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (DFL) defeated U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) in the state’s U.S. Senate Democratic primary on Tuesday, advancing to a general election matchup with GOP nominee Michele Tafoya.

Decision Desk HQ projected Flanagan the winner at 10:21 p.m. CT on Tuesday night. With 97% of the vote counted, Flanagan held 58.9% (405,818 votes) over Craig’s 39.5% (271,656).

Flanagan, who has served as lieutenant governor alongside Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) since 2019, is favored to succeed retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) in the safe blue race. If elected, Flanagan—a citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe—would become the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. 

Tafoya, who previously worked as a sports reporter, overcame a field of nine candidates, including former NBA player Royce White and former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze.

Grassroots Base Beats Outside Cash

The primary turned into a high-stakes proxy fight between the party’s progressive base and moderate establishment factions. Craig, a moderate who has represented Minnesota’s swing 2nd Congressional District since 2019, entered the race with a significant campaign finance advantage. 

As of July 22, Craig raised $12.8 million compared to Flanagan’s $6.5 million. There was roughly $16 million in outside super PAC spending aimed at boosting Craig or running negative ads against Flanagan.

Craig touted endorsements from establishment leaders like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (D), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). 

However, Flanagan won the DFL state party endorsement and rallied key endorsements from retiring Sen. Smith, progressive Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and major statewide labor unions.

Policy Wedge Points

A major flashpoint in the closing weeks centered on federal immigration policy and voting records. Flanagan repeatedly criticized Craig for voting with House Republicans on border security legislation, specifically highlighting Craig’s vote for the Laken Riley Act. 

“Congresswoman Craig stood by this vote for 14 months. During the height of Operation Metro Surge, after Renee Good was killed, after Alex Pretti was killed, she stood by her vote.” Flanagan said during a July 27 debate hosted by MPR News. 

Craig urged voters to read an opinion piece she wrote for the Minnesota Star Tribune in March, where she explained why she regretted her vote for the Laken Riley Act. 

“I believe in being honest with the people of Minnesota when I make a mistake,” Craig said. “I don’t see that level of accountability that comes from the Lt. Governor.” 

Health care was another issue where the candidates differed. Flanagan supports expanding Medicare to cover all U.S. residents, while Craig supports expanding the Affordable Care Act and introducing a public option.