GOP finds its next progressive target in Minnesota
Republicans have a new name on their growing list of progressive midterm targets: Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan , fresh off a landslide Senate primary win. Why it matters: With President Trump 's approval ratings in the 30s, Republicans are trying to turn the midterms from a referendum on him into a choice between the GOP and a Democratic Party they argue has moved sharply to the left. That…
President Trump's approval ratings are hovering in the low 30s, prompting Republicans to shift the focus of the midterms away from his performance and towards progressive Democrats. Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has emerged as a key target, following her landslide victory in the Senate primary. Republicans are using her support for dismantling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and her stance on transgender rights against her.
Flanagan's ties to progressive Senator Bernie Sanders and her administration's support for removing a hijab-wearing photo are also being leveraged as evidence of her radicalism. The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a video describing her as an "extremist." Meanwhile, the Republican frontrunner in the race, Michele Tafoya, is being positioned as a loyal vote for Trump, with her comments about taking "one less trip to Starbucks" in the context of a potential U.S.-Iran war being highlighted.
Republicans are also capitalizing on fraud scandals that occurred during Flanagan's tenure as lieutenant governor. Despite these efforts, Republicans face a challenging political landscape in Minnesota, where Trump's approval rating is 37%. Flanagan's victory over a more moderate Democratic opponent in the primary by 20 points demonstrates her political strength.
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