Progressive Peggy Flanagan wins Democratic Senate primary in Minnesota

What This is

• Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won Minnesota’s Democratic primary for the open U.S. Senate seat.
• Flanagan defeated Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in a contest often framed as progressive versus centrist.
• Republicans nominated former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya, who will face Flanagan in November.
• Flanagan ran with backing from prominent progressives, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and also had the state party endorsement.
• Coverage highlighted immigration enforcement as a major issue, including backlash to federal immigration actions and debate over ICE policy.
• If elected, Flanagan would be the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Why This Matters

• It signals how much influence progressive candidates have inside the Democratic Party going into a major election year.
• The nominee choice shapes how Democrats talk about immigration enforcement, including whether to push to dismantle ICE or focus on narrower changes.
• The race adds to a larger debate over campaign money, outside spending, and whether refusing corporate PAC cash is a real advantage or a handicap.
• The November matchup will help decide Minnesota’s representation in the U.S.
• Senate at a time when control of the chamber can hinge on a few seats.