Angie Craig enters race for Tina Smith’s Senate seat

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    In Minneapolis, U.S. Representative Angie Craig has announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by retiring Senator Tina Smith. Craig, a Democrat, declared her intention to participate in what is shaping up to be a hotly contested race, promising to “cut through the confusion” and oppose what she describes as a president exploiting the system for personal benefit and a passive Republican Party allowing it to happen.

    The 53-year-old stepped into the Senate race following a series of town hall meetings across Minnesota’s four congressional districts, which are currently held by Republicans, including Majority Whip Tom Emmer. Her initiative is a strategic move to underline the discrepancies between Democrats and former President Donald Trump, as well as his congressional supporters. Smith’s decision in February not to pursue reelection has instigated a rush among Democrats to clinch the soon-to-be-open seat, which is vital in determining Senate control post-2026.

    Among the contenders, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has been proactive from the outset, campaigning extensively across the state. Garnering substantial endorsements from figures like Attorney General Keith Ellison and former U.S. Senator Al Franken, Flanagan has managed to raise over $450,000 in her campaign’s first quarter. Former state Senator Melisa López Franzen joined the campaign trail in March, achieving formidable backing from current and past legislators and amassing upwards of $260,000 in just three weeks.

    Craig, however, holds a significant financial lead, with her prior House campaign generating more than $1.2 million in the first quarter, funds she can now allocate towards her Senate bid. A former executive in the medical device industry and one-time newspaper reporter, Craig shares her life with her wife Cheryl and their four adult children. Previously, she faced death threats and had to relocate after successfully defending herself against an attack in a Washington apartment elevator in 2023.

    Since defeating Republican Jason Lewis in the 2018 elections, Craig has represented Minnesota’s suburban-to-rural 2nd District. Originally a swing district, it has recently leaned Democratic, with Craig securing her seat by a 13-point margin in 2024. However, her departure could render the district competitive again.

    On the Republican side, candidates like Royce White, a former NBA player who lost to U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar in 2024, and Adam Schwarze, an Iraq War veteran and former Marine Corps member, lead the charge with active fundraising efforts. These candidates signify the strong anti-establishment grassroots presence within the Republican Party.