Minnesota Democrats chose the state’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan as their nominee to the US Senate on Tuesday, according to US media projections.
Flanagan, a progressive, will face off against Republican nominee and sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya in the November general election for the seat left open by the retirement of Democratic senator Tina Smith.
A pair of Democratic primaries in Minnesota on Tuesday were among a string of high-profile battles between progressive and moderate candidates, where Israel and the pro-Israel lobby serve as key wedge issues.
The state’s highest-profile race was the US Senate primary between Rep. Angie Craig, who has been endorsed by the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, and Lieutenant Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who said she would reject AIPAC’s money and accuses Israel of committing genocide.
The race, and the candidates’ sparring over AIPAC, comes as the lobby and Israel under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have become increasingly unpopular among Democratic voters. Israel is also an issue in the Democratic gubernatorial primary in neighboring Wisconsin taking place on Tuesday.
Flanagan has referred to Craig as “AIPAC’s candidate” in the Senate race, which prompted Craig to distance herself from the group’s spending during a TV debate in June.
“AIPAC has not contributed at all, the PAC, to my Senate campaign,” said Craig, whose wife, Cheryl Greene, is Jewish. “Not one penny.”
Flanagan countered that, while AIPAC itself has not donated to Craig’s campaign, it has held fundraisers for the four-term congresswoman. AIPAC did not respond to a request for comment.
Minnesota republicans nominate Lisa Demuth for governor over former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell
Minnesota Republicans chose state Representative Lisa Demuth as their nominee for governor, defeating former MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who had the endorsement of US President Donald Trump, according to US media projections.
She will face Democratic nominee Senator Amy Klobuchar in the November general election.
