Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's lieutenant governor, won the Democratic primary for the open U.S. Senate seat on Aug. 11, 2026, narrowly defeating Rep. Angie Craig. Backed by progressive leaders including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Flanagan will face Republican Michelle Tafoya in November; a victory would seat her in January 2027 to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith. Polling before the primary showed Democrats holding a modest edge in the fall matchup. The race gains added importance because Sen. Amy Klobuchar's likely gubernatorial bid could create a second Senate vacancy in Minnesota.
Peggy Flanagan Clinches Minnesota Democratic Senate Nomination in Tight Primary Over Angie Craig
Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig (left); Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (right)Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty; David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty
Progressive Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the state's closely watched Democratic primary on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, narrowly defeating U.S. Rep. Angie Craig to become the Democratic nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat.
What Happened
Flanagan, who serves as lieutenant governor under Gov. Tim Walz, prevailed in a competitive primary to earn the right to face Republican nominee, former sports broadcaster Michelle Tafoya, in the November general election. If elected in November, Flanagan would take office in January 2027 and replace retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan at a volunteer appreciation event in St. Paul, Minn., on Aug. 8, 2026Credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty
Campaigns and Endorsements
Viewed as the more progressive choice, Flanagan attracted high-profile endorsements from Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and from Sen. Tina Smith. A citizen of the White Earth Nation, Flanagan made history as the highest-ranking Native American elected to statewide office in the U.S. and remains the first woman of color elected statewide in Minnesota.
Craig, the moderate alternative and current representative for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, was first elected to Congress in 2019 and served as the nation's first openly lesbian mother in the House. A former journalist and small-business owner, Craig centered her campaign on protecting working families and confronting policies she says have harmed everyday people.
Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig in St. Louis Park, Minn., on Aug. 9, 2026Credit: Tom Baker/Getty
Polling And Outlook
Recent Emerson College polling indicated Democrats held an advantage in a hypothetical fall matchup: Flanagan led the top Republican by about 6% ahead of the primary, while Craig led that same Republican by roughly 7% in the same poll. Those margins suggest Minnesota is likely to remain competitive but favorable to Democrats heading into November.
Why This Matters
The race will determine who fills the seat of Sen. Tina Smith, who announced on Feb. 13, 2025, that she would not seek reelection after a long career in public service. In an op-ed she wrote, Smith explained her decision to prioritize family after decades in public life:
“Politicians are human beings. As much as I love my work, I'm fortunate enough to be able to say that my work is only part of what makes up my life. And after two decades of hard, rewarding work in public service, I'm ready to prioritize other things — starting with my family.”
There is additional statewide significance: Minnesota's senior senator, Amy Klobuchar, is favored in polls in her campaign for governor. If Klobuchar wins the governorship, she would vacate her Senate seat and Gov. Walz could appoint an interim senator until a special election determines who will serve the remainder of that term through 2031.
Next Steps
Flanagan will now turn her attention to the general election in November, where she will face Michelle Tafoya. The outcome will shape Minnesota’s Senate delegation and could influence the balance of power in the Senate depending on the national map in 2026–27.
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