Minnesota primary pits Democratic moderates against progressives
Al Jazeera Staff
Minnesota Democrats are choosing their Senate nominee in a primary that pits moderate Rep. Angie Craig against progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, with immigration as the central issue. The race is seen as a test of the party's direction ahead of the midterms, while the state also holds primaries for governor and several House seats.
Minnesota Democrats are picking their Senate nominee in a competitive primary that pits the moderate and progressive wings against each other, reflecting a broader fight over the party's identity ahead of the midterms. Immigration has emerged as the central issue in Tuesday's primary in the state, as Rep. Angie Craig, backed by leadership, and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, running on a more progressive platform, offer starkly different visions for how Democrats should confront President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Craig, who has a record of winning tight races, faced criticism after voting for a bill tied to Trump's crackdown. She later said she regrets that vote. Flanagan, meanwhile, has drawn support from prominent progressive Democrats, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, who endorsed her campaign. Omar is also running for reelection to the House in the 5th District.
From late 2025 into early 2026, federal immigration agents were stationed across Minneapolis as part of the Trump administration's deportation push. The operation drew protesters and clashed with city residents. In January, Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by federal agents, sparking nationwide backlash against the administration's immigration policies. Both Craig and Flanagan condemned the operation. In Congress, Craig filed articles of impeachment against former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Voting hours
Polls open at 7 a.m. Central Time (12:00 GMT) and close at 8 p.m. Central Time (1:00 a.m. GMT).
Who is running for Tina Smith's Senate seat?
Craig and Flanagan are competing for the Democratic nomination in the race to fill the seat left open after Sen. Tina Smith announced she would not run again. Smith has endorsed Flanagan.
Craig flipped a Republican-held House seat in 2018 and has survived tough reelection fights every two years despite millions in attack ads. She was among the Democrats who called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race after his debate with Trump. Craig's key supporters include Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Opponents have criticized Craig for joining nearly 60 other House and Senate Democrats in voting for the Laken Riley Act in 2025, Trump's bill requiring federal authorities to detain immigrants accused of theft and violence. Craig has since distanced herself from the legislation and defended her record as a Democrat.
“I consider myself a progressive,” she told reporters after an event on Saturday. “In every race, Republicans run ads against me saying I vote with Democrats 96, 97 percent of the time.”
“My opponent voted for Donald Trump's immigration bill and was the only Democrat in Minnesota to do so,” Flanagan told volunteers in St. Paul on Saturday. “She later said she regrets that vote—I'm glad. But it shouldn't have taken 14 months.”
“We can stand with immigrant communities not just when it's politically convenient,” Flanagan added.
Like Abdul El-Sayed, who won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary last week, Flanagan supports Medicare for All and wants to cut U.S. military aid to Israel. Flanagan also has backing from key progressive figures in the party, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
The Republican primary has nine candidates, including former sports commentator Michele Tafoya; former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, who has the state party's endorsement; and former professional basketball player Royce White, who was the GOP nominee for the state's other Senate seat in 2024. Trump has not endorsed anyone.
Who is challenging Ilhan Omar?
Rep. Ilhan Omar faces four challengers in the 5th District: Julie Le, Abena McKenzie, Latonya Reeves, and Nate Schluter. Omar won the party's endorsement in May.
Who is running for governor to replace Tim Walz?
Gov. Tim Walz is not seeking reelection, and both parties are competing for the open governorship. On the Democratic side, Sen. Amy Klobuchar is expected to win the nomination. On the Republican side, top candidates include Trump-backed Mike Lindell, state House Speaker Lisa Demuth, and Kendall Qualls, who has the state GOP's endorsement.
Minnesota hasn't elected a Republican governor in over a decade.
Why does the Minnesota governor's race matter?
Trump has repeatedly attacked Gov. Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, describing his administration as incompetent over allegations of massive fraud in federal child care funds. Lawmakers, community groups, and political organizations have called Trump's remarks racist.
