Minnesota primary is latest Democratic proxy fight for Senate and a test for Trump-backed hopefuls

The factional fight within the Democratic Party reaches Minnesota on Tuesday, where voters will determine a contentious U.S. Senate primary. This primary pits moderate U.S. Representative Angie Craig against progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, with the election serving as a barometer for Democratic primary voters.

The race has been deeply influenced by recent events, including the shooting death of two protesters by federal officers in Minneapolis following President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration surge. This incident has galvanized Trump's liberal opposition and has the potential to determine the sentiment of Democratic primary voters.

The winner of this primary, contested by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, will become the frontrunner in the upcoming November election. Minnesota voters have not elected a Republican to any statewide office since 2006. However, Republicans are optimistic about their chances, thanks to a recent fraud scandal involving the widespread theft of public funds.

Among the leading Republican gubernatorial candidates is Mike Lindell, better known as the "MyPillow Guy," a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump. Lindell has been a vocal advocate for the debunked theory that Trump's 2020 loss to Joe Biden was fraudulent. While Trump has not endorsed any candidate in the Republican primaries, Lindell has received the support of the national GOP, as well as billionaire Donald Trump himself.

Other notable candidates include Adam Schwarze, a Marine veteran and former Navy SEAL, and Royce White, a conservative commentator with a background in professional basketball. Lindell's candidacy is met with skepticism from some Minnesota Republicans, who fear his unpopularity among independent voters could negatively impact the entire Republican ticket.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Democrats are also facing a gubernatorial primary, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar leading the field against six other candidates. The race for governor in Minnesota has been long dominated by the Democratic party, with no Republican having won a statewide office since 2006.