Minnesota Democrats will decide a competitive U.S. Senate primary in another showdown between moderate and progressive candidates that could define the party’s identity heading into the midterm elections. Immigration has emerged as a defining issue in Tuesday’s Democratic primary election in the Midwestern state of Minnesota for the U.S. Senate, as establishment-backed Rep. Angie Craig and more left-wing Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan offer competing visions for how Democrats should respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. of 3 itemsend of listCraig, who has a history of winning competitive races, has faced criticism after voting for a law that was part of Trump’s crackdown. He has since said he regrets the vote. Flanagan has garnered support from prominent progressive Democrats, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, who endorsed his campaign. Omar is also running to retain her House seat in District 5. From late 2025 to early 2026, federal immigration agents were stationed in Minneapolis as part of a deportation campaign by the Trump administration. The operation attracted protesters, leading to clashes with city residents. In January, Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by federal agents, sparking a national backlash against the administration’s immigration policies. Craig and Flanagan criticized the Trump administration for the operation in the state. In Congress, Craig introduced articles of impeachment against then-US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. When do polls open and close in Minnesota? Polls are open from 7am CT (12pm GMT) and close at 8pm CT (1am GMT). Smith backs up Flanagan. Craig won a Republican-held congressional seat in 2018, and has spent millions of dollars in attack ads every two years to win tough re-election campaigns. Craig was one of the House Democrats who called on then-US President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race after his debate against Trump. Craig’s biggest supporters are Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. But his opponents criticize Craig and nearly 60 other House and Senate Democrats who voted for the Laken Riley Act in 2025, Trump’s bill that requires federal authorities to detain immigrants facing charges of theft and violent crimes. She has withdrawn her support for that bill and defended her record as a Democrat. “I consider myself a progressive,” she told reporters after an event Saturday. “Every race I run, Republicans run ads against me saying I vote with Democrats 96 or 97 percent of the time.” “My primary opponent voted for Donald Trump’s immigration bill and was the only Democrat from Minnesota to do so,” Flanagan told volunteers in St. Paul on Saturday. “She has since said she regrets that vote and I’m glad. But it shouldn’t have taken 14 months.” “We can support the immigrant community and not only when it is politically convenient for us,” Flanagan added. Like Abdul El-Sayed, who won the Democratic Senate primary last week in Michigan, Flanagan supports Medicare for All and wants to reduce U.S. military support for Israel. Flanagan also has the support of key figures in the party’s progressive wing, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont. The Republican primary has nine candidates, including former sportscaster Michele Tafoya; former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, who is supported by the state party; and former professional basketball player Royce White, who was the Republican nominee for the state’s other U.S. Senate seat in 2024. Trump has not endorsed any candidate. Who is running against Ilhan Omar? U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar has four challengers in District 5: Julie Le, Abena McKenzie, Latonya Reeves and Nate Schluter. Omar won the endorsement of the Democratic Party in May. Who is running to replace Tim Walz? Gov. Tim Walz is not seeking another term and both parties are competing for an open gubernatorial seat. On the Democratic side, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is expected to win the party’s nomination. On the Republican side, leading contenders include Trump-backed Mike Lindell, state House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Kendall Qualls, who is endorsed by the state Republican Party. Minnesota has not elected a Republican governor in more than a decade. Why is the Minnesota gubernatorial race important? Trump has repeatedly criticized outgoing Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate, portraying his administration as incompetent regarding allegations of widespread fraud involving federal child care funds. Lawmakers, community groups and political organizations have called Trump’s statements racist.
