In reliably blue Minnesota, could Democrats do the unthinkable and lose a Senate seat?
Frustration with a sprawling fraud scandal has cut Peggy Flanagan’s poll lead – could ex-NFL reporter Michele Tafoya win a first statewide election for Republicans in 20 years?
TL;DR
- The Minnesota US Senate race between Democratic Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya is closer than anticipated.
- Flanagan's lead is attributed to a state fraud scandal, potentially making her vulnerable.
- Tafoya, a former NFL reporter, faces the challenge of winning a statewide election in Minnesota, where Republicans haven't succeeded since 2006.
- The race is crucial for Democrats aiming to maintain control of the US Senate.
- Flanagan could become the first Native American woman elected to the US Senate.
- Tafoya is positioning herself as a pragmatic Republican, with some divergence from Trump's stances.
- Polls show Flanagan ahead, but with a narrower margin than in previous Democratic statewide victories.
- The state legislature is closely divided, indicating Minnesota is not deeply blue.
- Trump's unpopularity and actions in the state are being used against Republican candidates.
- National Republican support for Tafoya has been limited so far.