MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, defeating U.S. Representative Angie Craig in Tuesday’s primary, according to media projections.
Flanagan, a progressive Democrat, will face Republican nominee Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster, in the November general election for the seat being vacated by Democratic Senator Tina Smith. Reuters reported the Democratic nomination based on media projections.
The primary pitted Flanagan against Craig, a four-term congresswoman who campaigned as a more moderate Democrat. Flanagan had secured the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s endorsement in May after Craig chose to bypass the party endorsement process and compete directly in the primary.
Flanagan’s campaign was backed by prominent progressive Democrats, including U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Smith. If elected in November, Flanagan would become the first Native American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, according to NBC News.
The Minnesota contest was closely watched as a test of the Democratic Party’s progressive and moderate wings ahead of the November midterm elections. Flanagan campaigned on issues including affordability and reducing the influence of large donors, while Craig emphasized her record of winning elections in a competitive congressional district.
Flanagan now advances to the November general election against Tafoya. Official vote totals will continue to be finalized by election authorities.
