Full Breakdown
Clinton Endorses Flanagan in Minnesota Senate Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her first 2026 midterm endorsement, backing Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor lieutenant governor, for the open U.S. Senate seat. Flanagan faces Republican former sportscaster Michele Tafoya to replace retiring Democrat Sen. Tina Smith.
Political Landscape and Candidate Backgrounds
Flanagan, former executive director of the Minnesota Children’s Defense Fund and two-term lieutenant governor, frames herself as a progressive champion of working-family issues. Tafoya, a former “Monday Night Football” sideline reporter, is described by the campaign as a “MAGA Republican” aligned with former President Donald Trump. The race has drawn national attention, with endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Sen. Ed Markey, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Key Numbers
- Decision Desk HQ assigns Flanagan an 84 % probability of winning versus 16 % for Tafoya.
- Minnesota has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since 2002.
- Flanagan’s “Got Your Back” tour targets 30 cities in 30 days, with more than 300 events in 112 communities.
- The campaign claims Flanagan is the only candidate not taking corporate PAC money.
Official Statements & Responses
White House spokesman Davis Ingle dismissed Clinton’s remarks as “whining” about her 2016 defeat.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune visited southern Minnesota with Tafoya, calling the race “very unique” and describing Tafoya as a “high-quality candidate.”
Campaign Activities on the Ground
Flanagan’s tour has included farm visits in Le Sueur, a stop at a gas station in Brooklyn Park where she warned that “Minnesota cannot afford to send Donald Trump another loyal soldier,” and door-knocking in Willmar. She emphasized independence from corporate PACs and highlighted local concerns over ICE detention facilities and fuel costs. Tafoya, accompanied by Thune, promoted ethanol blend E15 and framed her candidacy as a continuation of Trump’s policies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Analysts differ on competitiveness: Fox News described Flanagan’s lead as “narrow,” while the Cook Political Report rated the seat “likely Democrat,” suggesting the contest may be less close than polling implies. No source provided definitive fundraising totals, leaving the impact of national party spending unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Long before she was First Lady, Senator, or Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was knocking on doors for the Children’s Defense Fund, making the case that every child in this country deserves a fair shot. That same work shaped me,” — Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan
- “Minnesota cannot afford to send Donald Trump another loyal soldier,” — Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan
- “She is just a high-quality, high-quality candidate,” — Majority Leader John Thune
What’s Next
The election is slated for November 2026. Both campaigns continue intensive outreach as the final month unfolds, with national party committees monitoring the outcome for its implications on Senate control.