In Senate debate, Tafoya and Flanagan can’t shake ties to unpopular men

By: Max Nesterak

Outlets: Minnesota Reformer

Published: October 16, 2026

Words: 1,085

Last Updated: 21 hours, 3 minutes ago


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Minnesota’s U.S. Senate candidates share a burden: each is tied to an unpopular man.

That burden was on display Friday in the only scheduled debate, hosted by MPR News, between Republican Michele Tafoya and Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Tafoya would not say if she would share a stage with President Donald Trump if he came to campaign in Minnesota, even after he endorsed her earlier this week.

Flanagan wouldn’t say whether she would …

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