Stakes building in U.S. Senate contest between two of Minnesota's brightest DFL stars
With six weeks before the primary, the stakes are building in the U.S. Senate contest contest between two of Minnesota's brightest DFL stars: Congresswoman Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
On Monday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced his endorsement of Craig, who also has the support of St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, former Hennepin County attorney Andy Luger and David Wellstone, son of late Sen. Paul Wellstone.
"I'm really proud to have the support of both of the mayors of the two largest cities in Minnesota," Craig said. "If you want someone who has a history of getting things done, like the cap on insulin at $35, like Narcan available over the counter, I'm ready to go."
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has been raking in endorsements as well: the DFL Party, incumbent Sen. Tina Smith, former Sen. Al Franken, Reps. Betty McCollum and Ilhan Omar and Attorney General Keith Ellison.
"We are organizing on the ground we have won this DFL endorsement with historic turnout at the precinct caucuses we are on the doors around the community," Flanagan said.
The cash advantage
Political analyst Larry Jacobs gives Flanagan the edge in endorsement, but says Craig's has the campaign cash advantage: $4.8 million to Flanagan's $1.1 million.
"Craig has got a four-to-one advantage in terms of money, and that money is going to fund some really tough attack ads on Flanagan that may equalize the race a bit," Jacobs said.
Walz, Klobuchar staying neutral
Two of the biggest DFL names — Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar — are sitting on the sidelines.
Walz has not endorsed anyone in the Senate race and Klobuchar says she is endorsing the entire DFL ticket. That of course includes Flanagan, but Klobuchar says she is not getting involved in the Senate race.
Super PAC-fueled ad war
The ad wars are already underway, with many not coming from the candidates themselves but super PACs backing each candidate.
One of the PAC ads that has attacked Flanagan accuses her of accepting big PAC money. Flanagan denies the claim and says the money referred to in the ads was raised by the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association — before she became the group's chair.
"In my campaign, in Peggy Flanagan for the United States Senate, I am not taking a dime of corporate PAC money. My opponent cannot say the same," Flanagan told Esme Murphy on WCCO Sunday Morning.
As the primary draws closer, both Flanagan and Craig will work to emerge from the shadow of two different issues. For Craig, it's the walk back of her support for the Laken Riley Act which she now says she regrets voting for. The act made it easier for the Trump administration to indefinitely detain undocumented people accused of nonviolent crimes.
Flanagan, for her part, can't shake questions about the Medicaid fraud crisis that has dominated headlines in recent years.
"Republicans are attacking every Democrat on fraud, they are attacking Congresswoman Angie Craig, JD Vance attacked her online," Flanagan said. "This is their entire plan."
The winner of the DFL primary will go up against one of the GOP's top three contenders at this point: Adam Schwarze, Michele Tafoya and Royce White.
