Flanagan Rolls Past Craig In DFL Senate Primary

(KNSI) – Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has won the Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat, setting up a November matchup for the seat being vacated by Senator Tina Smith.

The Associated Press called the race at 10:28 p.m. With 81.49% of precincts reporting, Flanagan had 353,589 votes, or 58.74%, to Congresswoman Angie Craig’s 239,069 votes, or 39.71%. Four other candidates split the remaining 9,331 votes, or 1.55% combined.

Flanagan carried the DFL endorsement out of the party’s state convention in Rochester in May. Craig skipped the convention and did not seek the endorsement, arguing the delegate turnout was too small to reflect the primary electorate.

Flanagan will face Republican Michele Tafoya in the November 3rd general election. Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster, defeated party-endorsed candidate Adam Schwarze and Royce White in a nine-candidate GOP field.

Smith announced in February 2025 she would not seek a second full term, opening the first Senate race in Minnesota without an incumbent in 20 years.

Minnesota’s other Senate seat is also in play indirectly. Senator Amy Klobuchar won the DFL nomination for governor Tuesday night and would have to give up her Senate seat if she wins in November, though her current term runs through January 2031.

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