MINNESOTA — Peggy Flanagan filed to run in the U.S. Senate primary on June 1, 2026, following incumbent U.S. Senator Tina Smith's decision not to seek re-election. The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota and Smith have endorsed Flanagan.
Smith announced in February 2025 that she would not run for re-election in 2026. Prior to Flanagan's filing, DFL Chair Richard Carlbom attended a press conference with her. As of June 2026, Flanagan and Angie Craig led in endorsements and fundraising for the primary.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna also endorsed Flanagan. Her campaign stated it has held over 200 events across Minnesota and is supported by more than 5,000 volunteers and grassroots supporters. The Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota will take place on August 11, 2026.
Flanagan served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. She was elected lieutenant governor alongside Tim Walz in 2018. Before her time in the state legislature, Flanagan served on the Minneapolis School Board from 2005 to 2009 and again in 2010.
Flanagan issued a statement on June 1, the day of her filing. "It has been the honor of my life to serve Minnesotans as your lieutenant governor. Today, I officially filed for the privilege to become your next U.S. Senator." Flanagan said.
Flanagan also addressed issues related to prescription drug pricing, stating, "We need leaders who actually know how regular people live and have the political courage to actually help them. Congress lowering the price of 10 prescription drugs is great, but why not make Big Pharma lower the price for all of them?"