A political memo recently sent to roughly 40 of Rep. Angie Craig’s top donors paints the third-term congresswoman as a more viable candidate for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat than Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. The document, clearly aimed at shaping perceptions among influential contributors, combines polling data, fundraising numbers, and strategic arguments to make the case for Craig’s candidacy.
The memo highlights Craig’s established statewide profile, competitive fundraising record, and history of winning in a swing district as key strengths. According to the analysis, Craig’s electoral résumé—three consecutive victories in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, a perennial battleground—demonstrates her ability to attract support beyond the Democratic base. The authors argue that this experience translates into a stronger general election position against a Republican opponent in a high-stakes Senate race.
By contrast, the memo presents Flanagan, a two-term lieutenant governor, as less tested in competitive races. While acknowledging her appeal within certain Democratic constituencies, it frames her electoral history as being tied to running alongside a popular governor in a statewide ticket rather than prevailing in hard-fought, stand-alone contests. The memo suggests that in a polarized national environment, Republicans would aggressively target Flanagan’s progressive record, potentially weakening her in swing areas and among independent voters.
The argument is underscored by recent internal polling, which the memo claims shows Craig performing better than Flanagan in hypothetical match-ups against leading Republican contenders. It also points to Craig’s robust campaign infrastructure, seasoned political team, and proven fundraising capacity—factors deemed critical for the intense and expensive battle expected for the Senate seat.
Implicit throughout is the message that a Craig candidacy would maximize Democrats’ chances of holding the seat and preserving their narrow Senate majority. The memo closes with a call for donors to rally early behind Craig, both to deter a divisive primary and to give her the resources needed to launch a strong statewide campaign.
While the document stops short of overtly attacking Flanagan, its framing leaves little doubt about the preference it is promoting. In Minnesota’s increasingly competitive political landscape, the memo represents an early shot in what could become one of the most closely watched Democratic nomination battles of the 2024 cycle. For Craig’s supporters, the message is clear: the path to victory, they argue, runs through a candidate who has already proven she can win tough races—again and again.
Both candidates would be great in the Senate, and miles ahead of whomever the Republicans throw up to run. The priority for Dems is to win and take back the Senate. To that end, I hope that this isn’t a protracted race. We need to consolidate resources and messaging for one candidate, not fight amongst ourselves in public.
I meant to say “Deal with” rather than my slip of “Seal with”.
Nominating Flanagan is a high risk strategy that I’m sure loads of DFL convention delegates will want to do. The party is seriously addicted to identity politics which is Flanagan’s top qualification. Until the party can go through treatment for that vice it will continue to alienate voters who wonder what issues Democrats really want to seal with. E.G. Democrats always harp about gun control. I think there is quite a bit more support in talking about gun safety which, fundamentally, is what most voters want.
Interesting article and I look forward to reading the memo. I noticed in the second to last paragraph “preserving their narrow Senate majority.” As the Republicans have the Senate majority right now, I wonder if you meant something more like “preserving their narrow path to a Senate majority” ??
Should be working now.
That link does not go to the memo