Left-wing progressive emerges victorious in hot Senate primary in warning sign for moderate Democrats

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 04:27, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 04:28, 12 August 2026 A hard-Left progressive who served as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's deputy has emerged victorious in a brutally fought Democratic Senate primary. Peggy Flanagan fired a warning shot to moderate Democrats across the country on Tuesday night after taking 58.6 percent of the vote against Minnesota congresswoman Angie Craig, who was getting 39.5 percent. Flanagan was championed by progressive darlings including senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as representatives Ilhan Omar and Ro Khanna. Her victory is the latest in a slew of wins by left-wing candidates across the country, including Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan last week.  Tim Walz, Minnesota's current governor, did not endorse in the contest after a toxic fraud scandal involving the Somali community sparked national scrutiny. But his wife, Gwen Walz, backed Craig, signaling where the governor's loyalties lay after he dramatically fell out with Flanagan when he returned to Minnesota following his failed bid for the White House alongside Kamala Harris. Walz's fraud scandal loomed large in the battle between the candidates. Craig said it was 'p***ing [her] off' that as Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor, Flanagan had ducked her responsibilities.  Flanagan accused Craig of repeating 'Republican talking points' in her attack.  Angie Craig speaks to constituents during a door-knocking event on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Minneapolis Peggy Flanagan, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate, speaks during a campaign rally Monday, July 20, 2026, in Minneapolis Craig claimed 'Republicans are dying to run against [Flanagan] because they believe that [she has] a unique vulnerability on fraud.' Flanagan has assailed Israel's war in Gaza as 'genocide' and backs halting US weapons to the Jewish State - a position Republicans are likely to seize on. At home, she backs Medicare for All, universal child care, national paid leave, a $20 federal minimum wage and higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy.  Flanagan has branded ICE 'out of control' and says it should be dismantled and replaced. Craig, as the more moderate, was the only Minnesota Democrat to vote for the Trump-backed Laken Riley Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain non-citizens who are arrested for or charged with local theft, burglary, larceny, shoplifting, or assault on law enforcement.  Flanagan will take on Republican nominee Michele Tafoya, a former NBC Sunday Night Football sideline reporter, in the Fall. Republican insiders are bullish on a victory for Tafoya, as she seeks to frame herself as a commonsense candidate. Notably, Tafoya is one of the few pro-choice Republicans in the country, backing abortion access up to the 12th week of pregnancy. Minnesota's US Senate seat is rated 'likely Democratic' by the Cook Political Report. Flanagan's election underscores the rising progressive tide across the country. Three candidates backed by socialist New York mayor Zohran Mamdani won their primaries in June, among them Brad Lander, who once ran against Mamdani for mayor and who ousted Dan Goldman as the congressman sought a third term. Adriano Espaillat, the 71-year-old chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, was toppled by Mamdani-backed Darializa Avila Chevalier. In Colorado, 29-year-old Democratic socialist Melat Kiros unseated Diana DeGette after nearly 30 years in Congress.