Minnesota primaries set up key tests for Democrats and Trump-backed GOP hopefuls

Minnesota voters head to the polls on Tuesday for primaries that will serve as a fresh gauge of the Democratic Party's internal divisions and the sway of Donald Trump's endorsement in Republican contests.

The marquee race is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Tina Smith. The contest pits centrist U.S. Representative Angie Craig against progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, offering another proxy battle between the party's moderate and progressive wings just a week after a divisive progressive victory in Michigan's Senate primary.

Craig has rallied support from the Democratic establishment, including House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and points to her record of winning in a competitive suburban Twin Cities district. Flanagan, backed by prominent progressives like Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, has sought to highlight Craig's initial vote for the Laken Riley Act, a hardline immigration bill. Craig later disavowed that vote following the fatal shooting of two protesters by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, an event that has shaped the campaign's discourse on immigration policy.

The race has also drawn tens of millions in outside spending, with debates over U.S. policy toward Israel and the influence of corporate donors featuring prominently. Governor Tim Walz has stayed neutral, but his wife, Gwen Walz, endorsed Craig, a move widely seen as a snub to Flanagan, who has been a governing partner for two terms.

On the Republican side, the Senate primary features a crowded field, including former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, who has national GOP support, and Marine veteran Adam Schwarze, who holds the state party committee's official backing.

The governor's race is equally consequential. The DFL primary is led by Senator Amy Klobuchar, who faces six challengers. Republicans see a rare opportunity in the state, fueled by a massive fraud scandal involving the theft of public funds that led Governor Walz to abandon a third-term bid. Over 65 people have been convicted in related cases, including a former nonprofit leader sentenced to 42 years for a $250 million fraud.

Among the GOP governor hopefuls is Mike Lindell, the Trump-endorsed "MyPillow Guy," known for his persistent promotion of false claims about the 2020 election. While Trump's endorsement carries significant weight in primaries, some Minnesota Republicans worry Lindell's profile could hurt the ticket in a general election, a concern echoed by state GOP Chairman Alex Plechash. His opponents include state House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls.

Though no Republican has won a statewide race in Minnesota since 2006, the state remains competitive. Democrats hold a one-seat Senate majority in the legislature, and the House is evenly split, keeping both parties focused on November's outcome.