Minnesota Lt. Colonel Peggy Flanagan launched an official U.S. Senate campaign on Thursday, taking over the successor to Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) in the 2026 election cycle.
“Today, I officially launch a US Senate campaign, go to DC and speak loudly and clearly for everything in Minnesota,” Flanagan wrote in X's post, “In Ojibwe, I'll be like, The name means: “Speak with a loud, clear voiced woman.”
“Through my career, I worked to meet my name,” she continued. “As the Board of Education, the State Capitol and the Lieutenant Governor, I fought for the kitchen table issues that affect children and families.”
Flanagan promoted her efforts to raise the minimum wage, expand salary family and medical leave, and provide free school lunches to children, saying, “Now, I'm holding Minnesota's worth in DC.” I'm running to go.”
Flanagan had previously said he was planning to run for a seat, but he would enter the open democratic field of the left-leaning Midwest state.
It has been reported that several well-known Democrats are also considering bidding. Politics It has been reported The Tim Waltz government (D) who served as Vice President Harris' 2024 running mate and in his second term has not ruled out Senate runs.
Punch Bowl NewsIt has been reportedNational and state leaders are encouraging Rep. Angie Craig (d) to run for his seat. Axios is a member of the progressive “team” MP Ilhan Omar (D)Not excludedThey will run and “talk with Minnesotans” about the seats and the future of the party.
Former Rep. Dean Phillips, a prominent Minnesota Democrat who ran for the president's Democratic nomination last year, wasHe said he wouldn'tHe will run for the Senate in 2026.
Smith announced last week that he will not be re-election in 2026, and announced his retirement in 2026 after Michigan Sen. Gary Peters (d) revealed last month that he will not seek another term. He made her a 2nd Senate Democrat to do so.
Smith said the country needs “strong and progressive leadership” and the state has a “deep bench of political talent” ready to pick up work. She said she was trying to create space for them to move up.
Minnesota has been a key part of the Democratic coalition for decades when he hasn't elected a Republican senator since 2002, but the GOP looks at the seats and tries to flip it over. President Trump and other Republicans may express their hopes about the state's future prospects, with Harris carrying about four points in November.
Other Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar (D), won the race over 15 points in November.
