Minnesota DFL Senate Primary: Craig Bypasses Endorsement, Flanagan Wins Party Nomination
Rep. Angie Craig bypassed the DFL endorsement for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat, allowing Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to win the party nomination by acclamation at the May 30, 2026 convention in Rochester. Craig, a centrist, will challenge Flanagan in the August primary. The race has focused on immigration enforcement and the Laken Riley Act. Craig holds a significant fundraising advantage ($4.9M vs. $1.9M), while Flanagan leads in delegate support and polls. The seat is rated 'Likely Democratic.'
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Minnesota's Peggy Flanagan Wins DFL Nomination for US Senate Seat
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party endorsement for the US Senate seat by acclamation at the party convention in Rochester on May 30, 2026. Her opponent, Representative Angie Craig, who had campaigned for months for the endorsement, declared two days before the convention that she would no longer seek it, arguing that the endorsement process is undemocratic. Flanagan countered that Craig's refusal to face the party shows she is not ready to face Republicans. Despite losing the endorsement, Craig plans to challenge Flanagan in the August Democratic primary. Craig has support from LGBTQ groups, establishment Democrats, and significantly more campaign funding, while Flanagan's grassroots organizing and delegate support (over 95% of local unit conventions) give her access to party resources. The race remains competitive, with both candidates presenting contrasting visions of electability and party loyalty.
Article | The NationMinnesota's Peggy Flanagan Wins DFL Nomination for US Senate Seat
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party nomination for the US Senate by acclamation at the party convention in Rochester on May 30, 2026. Her opponent, Representative Angie Craig, who had campaigned for months for the endorsement, declared two days before the convention that she would no longer seek it, arguing that the endorsement process is undemocratic. Flanagan countered that Craig's refusal to face the party shows she is not ready to face Republicans. Despite losing the endorsement, Craig plans to challenge Flanagan in the August Democratic primary. Craig has support from LGBTQ groups, establishment Democrats, and significantly more campaign funding, while Flanagan's victory unlocks party resources. Flanagan emphasized grassroots organizing, noting that 40,000 people participated in precinct caucuses and that she won over 95% of local delegate support.
Article | The NationMinnesota's Peggy Flanagan Wins DFL Nomination for Senate Seat
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party nomination for the U.S. Senate by acclamation at the party convention in Rochester on May 30, 2026. Her opponent, Representative Angie Craig, who had campaigned for months for the endorsement, declared two days before the convention that she would no longer seek it and would instead focus on the August primary. Flanagan secured support from approximately 95% of local-unit convention delegates, including 70% in Craig's own congressional district. Craig, a centrist lesbian mother of four, has significantly more campaign funding and endorsements from establishment Democrats and LGBTQ groups. Flanagan, a Native American woman raised by a single mother, emphasized grassroots organizing over money, citing Senator Paul Wellstone's example. The primary election in August will determine the Democratic nominee for the Senate seat.
Article | The NationRep. Angie Craig Bypasses DFL Endorsement in Minnesota Senate Race
Minnesota Democratic Rep. Angie Craig announced she will not seek the endorsement of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party at its state convention, effectively clearing the path for Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to win the party's backing. Craig, a centrist who flipped a House seat in 2018, is running for the open Senate seat created by retiring Sen. Tina Smith. The primary campaign has been tense, focusing heavily on immigration enforcement following the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. Flanagan has criticized Craig for her 2025 vote on the Laken Riley Act, which Craig later said she regretted. Despite losing the endorsement, Craig holds a significant fundraising advantage with $4.9 million on hand versus Flanagan's $1.9 million. The race is rated 'Likely Democratic' by Inside Elections. On the Republican side, former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya is the leading candidate. The article notes historical precedents where candidates like Tim Walz and Mark Dayton lost or bypassed the endorsement but won their primaries and general elections.
Roll CallRep. Angie Craig Skips DFL Endorsement, Sets Up Primary Battle with Lt. Gov. Flanagan
Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig announced she will not seek the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party endorsement at the state convention, effectively clearing the path for Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to win the party's backing. Craig, a centrist House member, is running for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. She stated the endorsement process does not reflect the full scope of the party or Minnesota's purple state status. The primary campaign has been tense, focusing on immigration enforcement following the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. Flanagan has criticized Craig for her vote on the Laken Riley Act. While Flanagan leads in polls, Craig holds a significant fundraising advantage ($4.9 million to $1.9 million). National Republicans are backing former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya. The race is rated Likely Democratic by Inside Elections.
Roll CallRep. Angie Craig Bypasses DFL Endorsement in Minnesota Senate Race
Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig announced she will not seek the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party endorsement at the state convention, effectively clearing the path for Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to win the party's backing. Craig, a centrist House member who flipped a seat in 2018, is running for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. The primary is set for August. Craig stated the endorsement process does not reflect the full scope of the party or the purple state Minnesota has become. The campaign has been tense, focusing on immigration enforcement after the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis. Flanagan has criticized Craig for her 2025 vote on the Laken Riley Act. While Flanagan leads in polls and has progressive support, Craig holds a significant fundraising advantage with $4.9 million on hand versus Flanagan's $1.9 million. National Republicans are backing former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya. Inside Elections rates the race as Likely Democratic.
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