Peggy Flanagan Triumphs Over Corporate-Backed Opponent in Minnesota Democratic Senate Primary
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Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a champion of progressive values and Indigenous representation, overcame the establishment-backed Rep. Angie Craig in the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s U.S. Senate seat, setting the stage for a people-powered campaign in November.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a fierce advocate for working people and the marginalized, secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota, defeating moderate and corporate-aligned Rep. Angie Craig, according to NBC News projections. The race to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith saw Flanagan buoyed by the support of progressive leaders such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, signaling a shift away from centrist politics. If elected in November, Flanagan would make history as the first Native American woman to serve in the Senate, breaking barriers long maintained by entrenched power structures.
"This entire campaign has been about the many versus the money," Flanagan told NBC News’ Meet the Press Now, highlighting the grassroots movement that propelled her victory. She exposed the massive $20 million spent by Craig’s campaign and her wealthy allies on advertising, compared to the $4.7 million raised by Flanagan’s people-powered campaign.
Flanagan’s platform centers on expanding health care access for all and dismantling the stranglehold of big donors on democracy, including her bold support for Medicare for All. She has also called for the abolition of the abusive and inhumane U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while supporting humane border security measures.
Craig, a four-term House member, clung to her centrist record and claimed she was the more electable candidate, but her regret over voting for the reactionary Laken Riley Act—an immigration detention measure signed into law by Donald Trump—exposed her willingness to compromise with right-wing policies.
The primary laid bare the deep divisions over immigration and the state’s approach to social-services fraud. Flanagan pointed to the governor’s administration leading efforts to combat fraud, while Craig resorted to parroting Republican talking points in a desperate bid for votes.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz remained officially neutral, though his wife’s public support for Craig revealed establishment bias. After her victory, Flanagan called for unity among Democrats to keep the seat out of the hands of Trump-aligned extremists. Craig, acknowledging the will of the people, pledged to support Flanagan in the general election to prevent a Republican takeover.
On the Republican side, former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, backed by national GOP leaders despite lacking the state party’s endorsement, emerged as the nominee, signaling the GOP’s continued embrace of celebrity over substance.