Flanagan, Tafoya Face Off in First U.S. Senate Debate
The candidates will face questions on Trump, abortion rights and public safety as more than $4 million has gone into campaign advertising, AdImpact said.
- On Friday, Oct. 16, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya met at MPR News for their first, likely only, debate in the race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.
- Recent surveys place Flanagan ahead 47% to 43% over Tafoya, prompting forecasters to shift the race rating from "likely Democrat" to "lean Democrat" as polls show a tight contest for the open seat.
- Flanagan attacked Tafoya over her previous written alignment with Donald Trump on abortion, while Tafoya struggled to define "reasonable access," laughing when pressed by the moderator to clarify her position.
- Tafoya challenged Flanagan on fraud within the administration, calling the lieutenant governor's denial a "projection," while Flanagan countered that Tafoya is attempting to "reinvent herself" by distancing from Trump.
- The hour-long debate highlighted sharp disagreements on tariffs, taxes, health care, and public safety as candidates traded attacks with the Nov. 3 election approaching.
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Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Michelle Tafoya spar on Operation Metro Surge, fraud during U.S. Senate debate
Tafoya also used her time to put part of the blame of Operation Metro Surge on Flanagan, saying that the leadership from the governor's office was a "massive failure."
Grand Rapids Herald-Review
Marietta Daily JournalIn Senate debate, Tafoya and Flanagan can’t shake ties to unpopular men
Minnesota’s U.S. Senate candidates share a common burden: a connection to an unpopular man. The shared baggage of Republican Michele Tafoya and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was on display during a debate Friday on MPR News, the only one scheduled…
Post Bulletin
Flanagan, Tafoya face off in first U.S. Senate debate
The two leaned into familiar attacks on Trump and fraud during what could be the only debate between them before Election Day.
Debate disaster as Trump Senate pick freezes on hot-button issue: ‘I am … eh …’
A Republican Senate candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump froze, then laughed, when a debate moderator asked her to define the “reasonable access” to abortion she says she supports.Republican nominee Michele Tafoya faced Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D-MN) on Friday in a debate for Minnesota’s ope...
Minnesota Senate debate with Peggy Flanagan, Michele Tafoya
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