Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison endorsed Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for outgoing U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s seat in a video announcement posted Monday.
The video, posted to Flanagan’s personal X account, shows Ellison and Flanagan seated opposite one another at a table and Ellison saying, “I’ve always thought you’d be a great United States senator.” Flanagan responds that it “just so happens” that she’s running for Senate, to which Ellison says, “I think you should do it and I support you and I hope other people do, too … You go get ’em!”
Ellison is the first major state Democrat to endorse Flanagan’s bid for Senate, as Smith and Gov. Tim Walz both said they’re opting out of endorsing a candidate before the primary. The endorsement also rules out a bid from Ellison, something he previously said he was considering.
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the people’s lawyer and my friend: MN Attorney General Keith Ellison,” Flanagan said on X Monday. “Keith has been fighting against Trump’s attacks on behalf of Minnesotans.”
Flanagan was the first to throw her hat in the race after Smith announced Feb. 13 that she would not be seeking reelection. Former DFL state Sen. Melisa López Franzen, who represented the southwest metro, has also announced a bid for the seat.
U.S. Reps. Angie Craig and Ilhan Omar are also considering entering the race.
Various Republicans, none of whom have held elective office, have also entered the race: 2024 U.S. Senate candidate Royce White; veteran Adam Schwarze; veteran Raymond Peterson; and Mike Ruoho, a restaurant executive.
Independent Marissa Simonetti, a former candidate for the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, is also seeking the seat.
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