明尼苏达州民主党参议院初选于周二举行，建制派支持的联邦众议员Angie Craig与进步派副州长Peggy Flanagan展开角逐[1]。移民政策成为本次初选的核心分歧议题。
Craig曾于2025年初投票支持《Laken Riley法案》，该法要求联邦当局拘留被控盗窃和暴力犯罪的移民[1]。然而在特朗普政府在明尼阿波利斯开展大规模遣返行动后，Craig对自己的投票表示悔意。她在明尼苏达州星坛报的评论中称："支持任何给ICE在本届政府中新权力的法案是错误的决定。我为我的投票感到后悔。"[1]据报道，在该市Bishop Henry Whipple联邦大楼进行的数月遣返行动中，Renee Good和Alex Pretti在街道上被杀害[1]。
Flanagan则以此为攻击点，指责"我的主要对手投票支持唐纳德·特朗普的移民法案，是唯一这样做的明尼苏达州民主党人"[1]。竞选资金方面，截至7月22日，Craig的竞选花费900万美元，而Flanagan花费550万美元[1]。值得注意的是，民主党州长Tim Walz的妻子Gwen Walz支持Craig而非Flanagan[1]。
Minnesota Democrats held a bruising Senate primary contest that centered on immigration enforcement, pitting establishment-backed U.S. Representative Angie Craig against progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.[1] The clash highlighted deep divisions within the party over how to respond to federal immigration crackdowns following the Trump administration's escalated deportation operations.
Craig had voted in support of the Laken Riley Act in early 2025, legislation requiring federal authorities to detain immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes.[1] However, she subsequently expressed regret for that decision, writing in the Minnesota Star Tribune: "It was a mistake to support any bill that gave ICE new powers in this administration. I regret my vote."[1] Her reversal came after immigration enforcement officials conducted months-long deportation operations at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, resulting in the deaths of two people, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, on city streets.[1]
Flanagan seized on Craig's earlier vote, asserting: "My main opponent voted for Donald Trump's immigration bill and was the only Minnesota Democrat to do so."[1] As of July 22, Craig had spent $9 million on her campaign compared to Flanagan's $5.5 million in spending.[1] Democratic Governor Tim Walz's wife, Gwen Walz, backed Craig over her rival in the contest.[1]