The Minnesota Senate Democratic primary is pitting two rising stars — Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) — against each other in a battle to replace retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
On paper, the primary appears to be an ideological battle between Craig, a more moderate candidate who represents a purple district, and Flanagan, a progressive who’s served as Gov. Tim Walz’s governing partner.
But in interviews with Craig and Flanagan, the candidates both preached a willingness to disrupt business as usual to back populist policies.
“Old labels don’t apply anymore in this economic populist moment where voters are looking for, ‘who are you fighting for?’” Craig said.
“You should be able to afford your life, and you should have people in Washington who are fighting for you,” Flanagan added.
The primary is a useful encapsulation of the intense angst festering in the Democratic base. Voters are fed up with their elected leaders, and candidates are trying to prove they’re willing to shake up the establishment.
Craig, who flipped a Republican-held seat in 2018 and has won several tough races since, is rejecting the D.C. label. Craig noted she was one of the first Democrats to call for new presidential leadership well before former President Joe Biden’s debate debacle. Plus, Craig noted she took on “the two most senior members” to become the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.
No love for Schumer: Neither Craig nor Flanagan would commit to supporting Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for leader, the latest sign that candidates view the top Senate Democrat as a toxic entity.
“We are a long way off for me being able to weigh in on that decision,” Flanagan said before pivoting to saying she won’t accept corporate PAC donations.
The dueling pitches: Flanagan made a bold pitch for progressive policy change, calling for a minimum wage of $15 an hour, widespread affordable child care and Medicare covering vision, dental and hearing.
Flanagan also took a shot at Craig’s experience in the House:
“You’re never going to get what you don’t fight for. Congress lowering the price of 10 prescription drugs for folks on Medicare, that’s great — but why not all of them?”
Craig is portraying herself as “a battle-tested leader” and “the experienced legislator” who is best positioned to win a general election in a state that’s trending right. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won by four points in November.
“I outperform almost every other Democrat in the state on the ballot, I outperform in rural areas in greater Minnesota and I’m going to help us win back voters,” Craig said.
Endorsement watch: Smith and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) told us they wouldn’t be endorsing in the race, with both saying Craig and Flanagan were strong candidates. Craig has received a number of labor union endorsements, while Flanagan is backed by Attorney General Keith Ellison and former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.).
