Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announces U.S. Senate run with hopes to be the first Native American woman to hold a Senate seat
Feb 21, 2025 10:47AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Office of Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 21, 2025
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan officially announced her campaign to run for U.S. Senate on Thursday, February 20, after current Senator Tina Smith announced last week that she would not be running again once her term is up in 2027. In an op-ed Smith wrote for the Star Tribune, she stated, "As much as I love my work, I’m fortunate enough to be able to say that my work is only part of what makes up my life. And after two decades of hard, rewarding work in public service, I’m ready to prioritize other things—starting with my family."
Flanagan served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019 before becoming Lt. Governor under Tim Walz. With this achievement, she became the first woman of color elected to statewide office in Minnesota and, at the time, the highest-ranking Native American woman in elected office in the nation. She grew up in St. Louis Park and is a member of the White Earth Nation.
In her announcement, Flanagan stated:
"Growing up, my family relied on government assistance programs like Section 8 housing and free and reduced lunch — even though my mom worked full-time in healthcare.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 21, 2025
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan officially announced her campaign to run for U.S. Senate on Thursday, February 20, after current Senator Tina Smith announced last week that she would not be running again once her term is up in 2027. In an op-ed Smith wrote for the Star Tribune, she stated, "As much as I love my work, I’m fortunate enough to be able to say that my work is only part of what makes up my life. And after two decades of hard, rewarding work in public service, I’m ready to prioritize other things—starting with my family."
Flanagan served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019 before becoming Lt. Governor under Tim Walz. With this achievement, she became the first woman of color elected to statewide office in Minnesota and, at the time, the highest-ranking Native American woman in elected office in the nation. She grew up in St. Louis Park and is a member of the White Earth Nation.
In her announcement, Flanagan stated:
"Growing up, my family relied on government assistance programs like Section 8 housing and free and reduced lunch — even though my mom worked full-time in healthcare.
My lived experience has informed my belief that we should wrap our arms around our neighbors in need. That’s why on the school board, in the state house, and as lieutenant governor, I’ve championed kitchen-table issues like raising the minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, and free school meals."
If she wins, she will be the first Native American woman to hold a U.S. Senate seat.
Since Senator Smith's announcement, along with Flanagan, Royce White (R) stated his intentions to run for the seat, although no official campaign has been announced. White ran against U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar but lost in the November 2024 election.
According to multiple news sources, Representative Pete Stauber does not have plans to run for the seat, telling Duluth's Northern News Now that "he feels he can make more of a difference in his current role" in the U.S. House of Representatives.
If she wins, she will be the first Native American woman to hold a U.S. Senate seat.
Since Senator Smith's announcement, along with Flanagan, Royce White (R) stated his intentions to run for the seat, although no official campaign has been announced. White ran against U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar but lost in the November 2024 election.
According to multiple news sources, Representative Pete Stauber does not have plans to run for the seat, telling Duluth's Northern News Now that "he feels he can make more of a difference in his current role" in the U.S. House of Representatives.
