Peggy Flanagan is the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, having assumed office in 2019. A member of the White Earth Nation, she would be the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate if elected. She earned a bachelor's degree in American Indian studies and child psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2002. Her career includes serving as the youngest member of the Minneapolis School Board at age 25, executive director of the Children's Defense Fund–Minnesota, and trainer for Wellstone Action. In the state legislature (2015-2019), she led Democrats on child care issues and served as one of only two DFLers to successfully author a bill that became law while in the minority. As Lieutenant Governor, she championed paid family and medical leave, investments in education and healthcare, housing initiatives, and abortion rights protections.
Flanagan was born and raised in poverty in Minneapolis. Her single mother relied on government assistance including food stamps and Medicaid. She became involved in Democratic politics at a young age, serving as the youngest member of the Minneapolis School Board at age 25. She worked as a trainer for Wellstone Action, helping to build grassroots political power. As executive director of the Children's Defense Fund–Minnesota, she co-chaired the successful campaign to raise Minnesota's minimum wage for the first time in a decade. Elected to the Minnesota House in 2015 representing District 46A, she led Democrats on child care issues and served during a period when her party was in the minority. In 2019, she was elected Lieutenant Governor alongside Tim Walz and has championed paid family and medical leave, free school meals, historic housing investments, and advances in tribal-state relations.
Flanagan supports complete overhaul or dismantling of ICE, criticizing Craig's votes for the Laken Riley Act and an ICE-related resolution as politically expedient.
Flanagan has stated she wants ICE replaced with better immigration enforcement systems. She criticized Craig specifically for voting for the Laken Riley Act and voting for a resolution containing expressions of gratitude to ICE agents.
Voting History: No voting record as she has not served in federal office; state legislative record focused on education and family issues.
Progressive stance against corporate PACs and special interests
Refuses corporate PAC money and criticizes the influence of billionaires and corporations in politics.
Voting History: N/A - State official
Strong pro-worker stance with focus on raising minimum wage
Co-chaired the Raise the Wage Coalition that successfully raised Minnesota's minimum wage; supports $17 federal minimum wage indexed to inflation.
Voting History: State legislature votes on minimum wage increase and paid family leave (both passed under her advocacy)
Strong abortion rights advocate
Led the fight to protect abortion access in Minnesota.
Voting History: State legislative votes supporting reproductive rights
Flanagan has not served in federal office. Her voting record is limited to state legislative service (2015-2019) where she was in the minority party. During the 2017-18 minority session, she was one of only two DFLers to successfully author a bill that became law.
Official campaign messaging emphasizes Flanagan as a 'fighter' willing to take on the Trump administration and billionaire influence. Progressive and confrontational tone toward Republican agenda and corporate interests.
Flanagan's position on ICE is extreme and will push away independents; Flanagan is 'twisting' the immigration issue for political advantage
Craig defended her votes for the Laken Riley Act and ICE-related resolution, arguing Flanagan misrepresented her record as politically expedient.