Minnesota Democratic Senate Primary: Flanagan Defeats Craig in Progressive Win
In Minnesota’s August 12, 2026 Democratic Senate primary, progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan defeated centrist Rep. Angie Craig with 59% of the vote, despite being outspent four-to-one. Flanagan’s grassroots campaign and opposition to ICE actions propelled her victory. She will face Republican Michele Tafoya in the general election. If elected, Flanagan would be the first Native American woman in the U.S. Senate. The race highlighted national Democratic divides over immigration and fraud scandals.
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Peggy Flanagan Wins Minnesota Senate Primary in Upset Over Angie Craig
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan defeated Representative Angie Craig in the Democratic Senate primary by a 20-point margin, despite being outspent roughly four to one. Flanagan's victory was driven by a strong grassroots ground game, with hundreds of volunteers knocking on 200,000 doors, and her early, vocal opposition to ICE's actions in Minneapolis. She campaigned on a promise to 'avenge Minnesota' after ICE's cruelty, contrasting with Craig's 2025 vote for the Laken Riley Act. Flanagan, a White Earth–Ojibwe and Irish Catholic activist, would become the first Native American woman to serve in the US Senate if elected. Craig conceded and endorsed Flanagan, who now advances to the general election.
Flanagan Clinches Democratic Senate Nod in Minnesota in Win for Progressives
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic Senate primary on August 12, 2026, defeating moderate Rep. Angie Craig with 59% of the vote. Flanagan, a progressive backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and retiring Sen. Tina Smith, will face Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, in the general election. If elected, Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, would be the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. The primary was marked by Flanagan's criticism of Craig's vote for the Laken Riley Act and the fallout from Operation Metro Surge. Meanwhile, progressives suffered a setback in Wisconsin, where state Rep. Francesca Hong lost to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. Minnesota also appears poised to elect its first female governor, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar winning the Democratic primary to succeed Gov. Tim Walz.
Minnesota Senate Primary: Craig vs. Flanagan in Democratic-Farmer-Labor Race
The Minnesota Senate Democratic primary on Tuesday pits centrist Rep. Angie Craig against progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for the open seat of retiring Sen. Tina Smith. Craig leads in fundraising with $12.8 million raised versus Flanagan's $6.5 million, and has $3.6 million cash on hand to Flanagan's $1.1 million. The race reflects the national Democratic divide between establishment and progressive wings. Flanagan won the state party endorsement and has backing from eight sitting Democratic senators, including Smith. Craig, who flipped a swing House seat in 2018, argues she is best positioned to hold the seat in November. Key issues include immigration enforcement, particularly the Laken Riley Act vote, and a statewide fraud scandal that affected the Walz administration. Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar have not endorsed in the race.
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Minnesota Senate Primary: Angie Craig vs. Peggy Flanagan
The Minnesota Senate Democratic primary on Tuesday pits centrist Rep. Angie Craig against progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for the open seat left by retiring Sen. Tina Smith. Craig has a significant fundraising advantage, having raised $12.8 million to Flanagan's $6.5 million. The race reflects the national Democratic divide between establishment and progressive wings. Flanagan won the state party endorsement and has backing from several sitting senators, including Smith. Craig has been criticized for her vote on the Laken Riley Act targeting undocumented immigrants, which she now regrets. Flanagan faces scrutiny over a statewide fraud scandal in the Walz administration. The outcome will test which faction of the party prevails in Minnesota.
Minnesota Senate Primary: Craig vs Flanagan in Democratic-Farmer-Labor Race
The Minnesota Senate Democratic primary on Tuesday pits centrist Rep. Angie Craig against progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to succeed retiring Sen. Tina Smith. Craig has a significant fundraising advantage, having raised $12.8 million compared to Flanagan's $6.5 million. The race reflects the national Democratic divide between establishment and progressive wings. Flanagan won the party endorsement in May after Craig bypassed the endorsement process. Both candidates have endorsements from eight sitting Democratic senators. National issues have become local flashpoints, particularly immigration enforcement following Operation Metro Surge and the Laken Riley Act vote. Craig has criticized Flanagan over a statewide fraud scandal in the Walz administration, while Flanagan has attacked Craig's vote on immigration enforcement. Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar have not endorsed in the race.