Peggy Flanagan
Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota · Democratic · Minnesota
Peggy Flanagan is Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and a nationally prominent Native American leader, running in Minnesota’s open 2026 U.S. Senate race.
Profile last updated Jul 7, 2026 · Center Field Politics
Scout's Report
A progressive statewide executive with a strong grassroots and tribal-community base and a national profile on children and families.
Core Strength
Statewide executive experience, historic profile, and enthusiastic progressive support.
Core Weakness
Faces a well-funded moderate rival in a competitive DFL primary.
Recent Action
Entered Minnesota’s open 2026 U.S. Senate race after Sen. Tina Smith announced her retirement.
Key Metrics
- Reliability
- 97%
- Documented Controversies
- 0
- Funding Secured
- $45M
Roll-call or session participation — did they show up?
Official ethics findings or court records only.
State initiatives on children, families, and tribal affairs directed during her tenure (absolute).
Where They Stand
Stances on the issues many voters care most about. Where a candidate has not given a clear answer we mark it "Mixed / Partial" or "Unclear" rather than guess. Positions are drawn from official records and bias-labeled news sources; they are descriptive only and are never scored.
Environment—Supports3
Climate protections and regulation versus fewer climate-related regulations on industry.
Backs clean-energy investment and environmental protection.
Healthcare—Supports3
Expanding healthcare coverage for all versus expanding market-based, private insurance.
Supports expanding coverage and lowering costs.
Second Amendment—Supports3
New firearm regulations versus no new firearm regulations.
Supports expanded background checks and firearm-safety measures.
Immigration—Supports3
Pathways to citizenship versus a closed-border approach.
Supports comprehensive reform with a pathway to citizenship.
Roe v. Wade—Supports4
Protecting access to abortion versus restricting access to abortion.
Supports codifying abortion-access protections into federal law.
National Security—Mixed / Partial3
Whether diplomacy or military strength should be the primary national-security priority.
Emphasizes diplomacy and congressional authorization; no clear position on the 2025 strikes.
Party Loyalty
Party-line alignment on major recorded votes.