Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won Minnesota’s Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday, defeating Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) in a closely watched contest that offered another signal of where Democratic voters may be headed — further left or back toward the political center — ahead of the crucial midterm elections.
Flanagan held 58.8% of the Democratic primary vote to Craig’s 39.7% when the Associated Press projected the race at 11:27 p.m. ET.
Flanagan, who has served as embattled Gov. Tim Walz’s lieutenant governor since 2019, ran on a platform rooted in progressive Democratic priorities. Her campaign echoed many of the themes that helped Abdul El-Sayed win his Senate primary in Michigan, including support for “Medicare for all,” ending US aid to Israel over the “genocide” in Gaza and removing “Big Money out of our politics.”
She also pledged to “rip ICE apart” following President Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota, which led to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal law enforcement officers and triggered widespread anger across the state.
Flanagan, who drew attention last year after wearing a hijab in solidarity with Somalis amid federal and congressional investigations into widespread fraud within the refugee community, was backed by several high-profile figures on the Democratic left. Her endorsers included socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren, “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and outgoing Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
Craig, by contrast, was widely seen as the more pragmatic, centrist contender in the race to succeed Smith in the US Senate.
The three-term congresswoman represents Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District, a swing seat that backed President Trump in 2016 before moving back into the Democratic column for Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.
Craig had support from a long list of establishment Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is viewed as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender.
She was also backed by Walz’s wife, Gwen.
The governor did not endorse a candidate in the race.
In contrast to Flanagan, Craig has rejected calling the Israel military’s efforts to root out Hamas terrorists in Gaza a “genocide.” She also voted against a measure seeking to cut more than $3 billion in US aid to Israel.
On healthcare, Craig has proposed “Medicare for All who want it,” rejecting a complete federal takeover of the health insurance system.
The congresswoman was attacked by Flanagan on the campaign trail over her vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act, a Trump-backed bill cracking down on migrant criminals, which Craig has indicated she regrets voting for.
Meanwhile, Craig blamed Flanagan for a lack of oversight and accountability of state welfare programs that were pilfered by fraudsters.
Flanagan will face former sportscaster Michele Tafoya in the November general election.
A Republican hasn’t won a Senate election in Minnesota since 2002.
