Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has endorsed Rep. Angie Craig in the competitive Democratic primary for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat, adding another national voice to a race already drawing high-profile backers on both sides.
Buttigieg called Craig "a leader, a fighter, and a skilled legislator who is highly effective in serving Minnesotans well," and said the Senate needs "more people like Angie — who is unafraid to go anywhere and talk to anyone." He described her as "a forward-looking Democrat" who consistently stands up to get results for constituents.
"Angie is a leader, a fighter, and a skilled legislator who is highly effective in serving Minnesotans well," Buttigieg said. "The Senate needs more people like Angie — who is unafraid to go anywhere and talk to anyone."
Craig said she was honored by Buttigieg's endorsement, praising his record on transportation, infrastructure and consumer protections. "We need leaders who put people first — from safer roads to stronger supply chains and infrastructure that works for everyone," she said.
The primary has split prominent Democrats. Craig's supporters include Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI), Ruben Gallego (AZ), Jacky Rosen (NV) and Andy Kim (NJ). Her chief opponent, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, has attracted high-profile progressive endorsements from Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Chris Murphy, Jeff Merkley and Martin Heinrich.
National attention reflects the stakes: Democrats are generally favored in this open-seat contest, as Republicans have not won a statewide race in Minnesota since 2006, but the GOP has grown more optimistic about competing in recent cycles. The Democratic ticket carried Minnesota by roughly four percentage points in the most recent national election, underscoring that the state remains competitive.
On the Republican side, former professional basketball player Royce White is running; he previously challenged Sen. Amy Klobuchar and was defeated by a wide margin. With multiple endorsements and national attention, the Minnesota primary is shaping up as one of the more closely watched Senate nominating contests this year.
