ROCHESTER, Minn. – When Minnesota Democrats convene this weekend in Rochester, one leading candidate for the U.S. Senate, Angie Craig, won’t be there. Thus Craig avoids a battle with rival Peggy Flanagan for the party’s endorsement. It was believed that Flanagan had sewed up a majority for the endorsement. Craig explained her decision this way:
“The DFL endorsement process just doesn’t reflect the full scope of the party that we are, and the purple state that we have become. The only way we save democracy is through democracy, where every voice is heard, not just a few.”
It was unclear whether the party-selected delegates to the state convention would take Craig’s decision as a snub. The consensus among political observers is that Craig and Flanagan are neck-to-neck overall among Democratic voters for the primary election in August. It is the primary that decides who will be on the November general election ballot. By some measures Craig has an advantage. Her March campaign finance report showed a war chest of $4.8 million, Flanagan was at $1.2 million.
Craig. In her fourth terms in the U.S. House from Minnesota’s Congressional District 2, which stretches from the south side of Minneapolis and St. Paul almost to Mankato.
Flanagan. In her second term as lieutenant governor. Earlier she was in the Minnesota Legislature from Minneapolis.