MINNEAPOLIS — U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are candidates in the Minnesota Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. The Minnesota Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is scheduled for Tuesday.

The contest has centered on divergent approaches to immigration policy and progressive governance. Craig voted for the Laken Riley Act early in 2025. The Laken Riley Act requires federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention and deportation of illegal alien criminals. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL].

Craig later published a column in the Minnesota Star Tribune expressing regret for her vote on the Laken Riley Act. She defended her record as a pragmatic lawmaker capable of winning in competitive districts. "I consider myself a progressive," Craig told reporters.

"Every race that I run, Republicans run ads against me saying I vote with Democrats 96, 97% of the time," Craig said. "Of course, in the primary, people want to point out the few votes I’ve taken against Democrats," he said.

Flanagan criticized the delay in Craig's apology and emphasized consistent adherence to party principles. "My primary opponent voted for Donald Trump’s immigration bill and was the only Minnesota Democrat to do so," Flanagan said. "She since then has said that she regrets that vote, and I’m glad," Flanagan said.

"But it shouldn’t have taken 14 months," he said. "We can stand with the immigrant community and not just when it’s politically expedient for us," he said.

The primary unfolds against a backdrop of local tension regarding federal immigration enforcement. U.S. immigration agents staged at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis for a deportation campaign. Volunteers in bright orange vests keep vigil across the street from the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building for more than 12 hours a day.

Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed in Minneapolis streets during protests against immigration enforcement. Visitors bring fresh flowers and handwritten notes to memorials marking the spots where Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed.

Craig showed her appeal to working-class voters during campaign events. "The working class keeps getting screwed," he told volunteers in Brooklyn Park. "Folks, I don’t know about you, but it is time that we had a working folks revolution in this country," he told volunteers.

Her supporters pointed to her electoral history as evidence of broader appeal. Craig flipped a Republican-held seat in 2018. Kevin Anderson, a Hennepin County commissioner, endorsed Craig based on her geographic experience. "Angie has experience working across demographics that we need to win over statewide, including in rural Minnesota," said Kevin Anderson. "I love Peggy, I really do, she’s a great politician," Kevin Anderson said. "But I don’t think she’s ever had to work across Minnesota," Kevin Anderson said.

Flanagan brings a different legislative background to the race. Flanagan is serving as the 50th lieutenant governor of Minnesota since 2019. Flanagan served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019.

She supports Medicare for All and wants to curtail U.S. military support for Israel. Some donors emphasized the source of campaign funding as a key differentiator. "The fact that the money is coming from us and only us makes such a huge difference, because she’s beholden to us, not some billionaire with some business or crypto interest," said Justin Ropella, a customer service manager.

Other actions by Craig have drawn scrutiny from segments of the base. Craig called for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race after his debate performance against Donald Trump. Craig became the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.

Craig backed a resolution condemning antisemitism after a 2025 firebombing in Boulder, Colorado. Craig expressed thanks for law enforcement, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, after the Boulder firebombing. Corey Day, former executive director of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, noted shifting perceptions of these votes. "Before that, people had a little bit more sensibility about the fact she was in a tough district and had to take tough votes," said Corey Day.

Party leadership remains neutral in the contest. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has declined to endorse either candidate in the Minnesota Senate primary. Gwen Walz endorsed Craig over Flanagan.

Angela Dawn Craig has served as the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 2nd congressional district since 2019. Michele Tafoya is a candidate in the Republican field for the U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota.

The outcome of this primary will determine the Democratic nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota. The race shows internal party debates over immigration enforcement and electoral strategy. PureSource News previously reported that the Department of Homeland Security seeks 5,500 detention beds ready, reflecting the national context of the local enforcement actions in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Senate is the upper house of the Minnesota legislature, while the Minnesota Democratic party serves as the state affiliate of the national party.

Why It Matters

The primary outcome determines which candidate advances to the general election with a record defined by either cross-district pragmatism or consistent progressive alignment. Voters must weigh Craig's past support for migrant detention laws against Flanagan's call for immediate adherence to party principles on immigration. This decision occurs as local tensions over federal enforcement have resulted in fatal violence during protests in Minneapolis.