Sen. Tina Smith Endorses Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for Senate Seat
Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) has announced her endorsement of Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D-Minn.) to succeed her in the Senate. Having held her seat since 2018, Smith’s early backing may help Flanagan as she faces Rep. Angie Craig, who comes into the race with significant fundraising and critical endorsements.
In a recent video, Smith expressed her pride in serving Minnesota, stating, “Today, 3,000 federal agents are terrorizing our communities. Two Minnesotans, Alex and Renee, were killed at the hands of federal agents. Families are being torn apart, and people are being detained and arrested without cause. In the face of violence, Minnesotans are setting an example. People across the nation are looking to us for guidance, acknowledging our courage and resilience as we stand up to this bully.”
Smith emphasized her trust in Flanagan, saying, “There’s no one I can trust more to stand with the state of Minnesota than Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan at this time.” She highlighted Flanagan as a “fierce fighter” who has produced real results for the state.
Flanagan shared Smith’s sense of urgency, remarking, “Our state and our country are at a critical moment. Many individuals are living in fear of the federal government and struggling to make ends meet.” She then pledged her dedication to being a “progressive warrior,” insisting that the nation must “resist the status quo” and affirming that power lies with the people, not just the wealthy elite. Flanagan urged voters to “join Team Peggy” to make Minnesota “the North Star of democracy.”
Her main opponent, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), who represents Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District, has already established a significant fundraising advantage, having raised $2 million in the final quarter of 2025 and starting the election year with $3.7 million in cash. In comparison, Flanagan reported raising roughly $1 million with just over $810,000 available.
Craig has garnered support from prominent figures such as Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), as well as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Flanagan has sought to differentiate herself from Craig, particularly on issues of immigration and security. Earlier this year, she openly criticized the Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention of illegal immigrants charged with theft-related offenses, calling it a “first step in giving President Trump permission to terrorize our communities.” Additionally, she reproached Craig for voting on legislation that praised ICE operations.
While Craig condemns ICE’s activities in Minnesota, asserting they disrupt communities, she has also suggested that “all options need to be on the table,” including a potential government shutdown to limit ICE’s reach.
