Peggy Flanagan, the Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, has secured the vote in the Minnesota Senate primary, aiming to take over from the retiring Sen. Tina Smith.
As of early Wednesday morning, Flanagan was leading Democratic Rep. Angie Craig with 59% to 39.4%, having counted 99% of the ballots, according to reports from the Associated Press and NBC News.
Craig, who was perceived as the main moderate contender supported by the establishment, faced Flanagan in a race primarily seen as a clash between moderates and more progressive candidates.
Flanagan received backing from notable figures such as Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ilhan Omar, while Craig had the support of establishment Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Hakeem Jeffries.
The campaign emphasized various issues, including immigration, fraud, supervision of state programs, and campaign finance, as well as policy regarding Israel and Gaza. Although Craig faced scrutiny for his prior vote on the Laken Riley Act, Flanagan highlighted her opposition to Donald Trump’s policies.
Flanagan announced her candidacy in February 2025 after Smith declared he wouldn’t run for re-election. Before the primary on August 11, she garnered DFL support and emerged as a strong progressive candidate.
The lieutenant governor has championed progressive policies, especially around transgender rights and abortion. In a public statement, Flanagan emphasized her commitment to ensuring the safety and acceptance of transgender individuals in Minnesota, underscoring her response to hate and discrimination.
Her advocacy for transgender rights gained additional attention following a tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, where a suspect identifying as transgender harmed two children and injured others.
Flanagan had previously drawn public attention by wearing a shirt that stated “Protect Transgender Children” shortly before the shooting incident.
On the last day of the primary election, she visited a market in Somalia and praised Somali immigrants, drawing a mix of reactions, as scrutiny over allegations of fraud involving publicly funded programs—especially in the Somali community—continues to grow in Minnesota.
In a related incident, after being assaulted in his apartment in Washington, D.C., Craig and 31 other Democratic Congress members voted to block a resolution aimed at reducing penalties for several violent crimes, just hours after the attack.
