Peggy Flanagan 

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Latest news on Peggy Flanagan, the Minnesota lieutenant governor elected to the US Senate, covering the Minnesota Senate race, her win over Michele Tafoya, Tina Smith's seat, healthcare, Native American issues and campaign news.

Peggy Flanagan is a Minnesota Democrat who has served as lieutenant governor since 2019. On 3 November 2026 she won the Senate seat held by the retiring Tina Smith, defeating Republican Michele Tafoya, a former broadcaster who ran as a political outsider.

Flanagan is a citizen of the White Earth Nation, an Ojibwe community, and is set to become the first Native American woman elected to the US Senate. Before becoming lieutenant governor she served in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

She won the Democratic primary in August 2026 over Representative Angie Craig, in what was reported as the most expensive primary in the state's history. Her campaign drew support from the progressive wing of the party, and polls showed a tightening race in the final weeks.

Flanagan campaigned on healthcare costs, protecting reproductive rights and standing up to powerful interests, and often spoke about her background and the communities she represents. Critics from the Republican side challenged her record and her ties to the state's Democratic leadership.

Minnesota has a long tradition of competitive Senate contests and has sent Democrats to Washington for decades. Whether you follow Minnesota politics, progressive Democrats or the US Senate, staying informed about Peggy Flanagan matters. The NewsNow Peggy Flanagan feed gathers the latest headlines on her Senate work, votes, speeches, interviews and campaign coverage from reliable sources, in one place.