Peggy Flanagan wins Minnesota Senate race over Michele Tafoya
Democrat Peggy Flanagan gained Minnesota’s US Senate race Tuesday, defeating Republican Michele Tafoya in a intently watched midterm contest for the seat held by retiring Sen. Tina Smith.
Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, will develop into the primary Native American girl elected to the higher chamber.
Flanagan led with 54% of the votes, in comparison with Tafoya’s 43% with about three-fourths of the ballots counted.
The race drew nationwide consideration amid scrutiny of Minnesota’s sprawling public-benefits fraud scandal, which dogged Flanagan’s marketing campaign and contributed to Gov. Tim Walz’s determination to desert his bid for a 3rd time period.
The Democratic victory preserves the get together’s maintain on a seat in a state that has not elected a Republican to the US Senate since 2002.
The result’s a setback for Republicans, who had hoped to capitalize on scandals and flip a historically Democratic state’s open seat.
Republicans labored to make Flanagan’s ties to the Walz administration a central challenge, arguing that she ought to be held accountable for fraud that occurred whereas she was the state’s second highest-ranking official.
Her years within the Walz administration turned a central vulnerability throughout the marketing campaign. Flanagan acknowledged that extra ought to have been carried out to cease the abuse of taxpayer funds, however claims she was not liable for overseeing the businesses on the heart of the fraud investigations.
The 46-year-old ran for Senate as a progressive, supporting Medicare for All, common youngster care and a $17 federal minimal wage.
Tafoya, 61, a former NFL sideline reporter who turned a conservative political commentator, promised throughout her marketing campaign to carry politicians accountable, regardless of their get together affiliation. She obtained President Trump’s endorsement but in addition sought to painting herself as keen to interrupt with Republicans when she deems it to be crucial.
Most famously referred to as a sideline reporter for NBC’s “Sunday Night time Soccer,” Tafoya took a extra average place on abortion than many Republicans, stating that she helps abortion entry by means of 12 weeks of being pregnant.
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Through the candidates’ October debate, Tafoya vowed to be an “equal alternative ache within the ass” to deprave politicians in Washington, no matter get together, whereas accusing Flanagan of dodging duty for the fraud scandal. Flanagan countered by criticizing Tafoya’s ties to Trump and her positions on points together with immigration and abortion.
The race was intently watched nationally as Republicans sought to capitalize on Democratic vulnerabilities in Minnesota and maintain their floor within the Senate.
The Minnesota Senate race added to Democrats’ takeover of the Senate.
