Minnesota DFL Endorses Peggy Flanagan for 2026 Senate Race as Craig Stays in Aug. 11 Primary
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · May 30
Minnesota DFL Endorses Peggy Flanagan for 2026 Senate Race as Craig Stays in Aug. 11 Primary
11 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 30
Rochester delegates on Saturday backed Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.
The endorsement gives Flanagan the state party's formal support, but U.S. Rep. Angie Craig said this week she would skip the convention and continue to the Democratic primary on Aug. 11.
On the Republican side, former Marine Adam Schwarze won the Minnesota GOP endorsement Friday at the party's Duluth convention.
Smith announced in February 2025 that she would not seek reelection, opening Minnesota's first U.S. Senate race without an incumbent since 2008.
How do contested primaries affect a party's unity and resources leading into a general election?
What does a candidate bypassing their party’s endorsement process reveal about modern political campaign strategies?