Minnesota Democrats will choose between two candidates for U.S. Senate in a race centered on how to respond to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement actions. U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, backed by the state party establishment, faces progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in a contest that reflects broader ideological divisions within the Democratic Party.
Craig’s voting record on immigration has become a central issue in the campaign. She voted to support the Laken Riley Act early in 2025, which requires federal authorities to detain migrants accused of certain crimes. According to reports, nearly 60 other Democrats in Congress also supported the measure. However, when Trump administration immigration agents conducted operations in Minneapolis later that year, resulting in two protest deaths, Craig published a column expressing regret for her vote. She argued that while she had concerns about aspects of the law and noted it had support from respected Democratic colleagues, the aggressive federal enforcement she witnessed made clear that supporting any bill expanding ICE authority under the Trump administration was a mistake.
Flanagan and her supporters argue Craig’s vote represented a betrayal rather than a pragmatic calculation. Flanagan has emphasized that Craig was the only Minnesota Democrat to vote for the immigration bill and that it took 14 months for Craig to express regret. Flanagan supports a more confrontational stance toward the Trump administration on immigration and other issues, backing Medicare for All and calling for reduced U.S. military support for Israel. Her campaign has also positioned itself against wealthy donors, contrasting outside spending patterns.
Craig counters that her record demonstrates viability in competitive races. She flipped a Republican-held seat in 2018 and has won successive reelection campaigns in a swing district. She characterizes herself as progressive and notes that Republicans regularly attack her voting record, which she says aligns with Democrats 96-97 percent of the time. Supporters argue her experience winning across diverse demographics positions her to hold the seat statewide. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz declined to endorse either candidate, though his wife endorsed Craig.
Through late July, Craig had spent $9 million on her campaign compared to Flanagan’s $5.5 million, with outside spending disparities even wider. Flanagan has sought support from progressive figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
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