Minnesota Democrats are heading to the polls Tuesday to settle a high-stakes primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D). The contest pits Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a progressive with strong establishment backing, against Rep. Angie Craig, a moderate who has drawn support from top House Democratic leaders.
Flanagan secured the endorsement of the state's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party at its convention, a significant boost in a state where the party endorsement often carries weight. She has also garnered endorsements from prominent progressives including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Her campaign has emphasized her work on child care, paid family leave, and tribal relations—she is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe.
Craig, who has represented Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District since 2019, is backed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). She has positioned herself as a pragmatic legislator who can win in a competitive swing district, highlighting her work on prescription drug pricing and bipartisan infrastructure legislation.
The race has drawn national attention as a test of the Democratic Party's ideological direction ahead of the 2026 midterms, with similar dynamics playing out in other primaries across the country. The outcome in Minnesota could signal whether progressives or centrists hold the upper hand in key battleground states.
On the Republican side, former NFL reporter Michele Tafoya leads the field for the GOP nomination, though she faces a crowded primary. Tafoya, a political newcomer, has aligned herself with former President Trump's agenda, echoing his claims about election integrity and immigration. Her candidacy has energized the party's base, but some establishment Republicans worry about her electability in a general election.
Polls close at 9 p.m. EDT, and results are expected to trickle in through the evening. Decision Desk HQ will provide live results as they become available. Early voting and absentee ballots could play a significant role, as they did in recent Minnesota primaries.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face the Republican nominee in November, but the state's Democratic lean makes the primary the de facto general election in many observers' eyes. Minnesota has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 2002, and Democrats are eager to hold the seat to maintain their narrow majority.
Beyond the Senate race, Minnesota voters are also weighing in on gubernatorial primaries, with incumbent Gov. Tim Walz seeking renomination. The state's primaries are part of a broader slate of contests in Wisconsin and South Carolina that are setting the stage for the 2026 midterms.
Political analysts note that the Flanagan-Craig matchup mirrors the national divide within the Democratic Party. Flanagan's progressive platform and party endorsement appeal to the activist base, while Craig's record of winning in a purple district makes her attractive to moderates and the party's congressional leadership.
As the results come in, both campaigns are bracing for a potentially close race. Flanagan has campaigned heavily in the Twin Cities metro area, while Craig has focused on rural and suburban voters. Turnout will be key, and both sides have invested heavily in get-out-the-vote efforts.
For now, all eyes are on Minnesota as the state decides who will carry the Democratic banner into the fall. The outcome will be closely watched not just in the state, but across the country as a barometer of the party's direction.
