Minnesota’s Senate race has tightened into a toss-up, with Republican Michele Tafoya gaining traction against Democrat Peggy Flanagan after a debate attack tying her to state fraud and public-safety failures.
A federal prosecutor has estimated Minnesota fraud at as much as $9 billion under Gov. Tim Walz’s administration, where Flanagan serves as lieutenant governor, giving Tafoya a central line of attack.
Crime has added to that pressure after an Oct. 2 shootout at an Eden Prairie high school homecoming game wounded two youths and ended with suspects released on bail within days.
Polls remain within the margin of error, suggesting voter anger over corruption and violence could make the race one of 2026’s biggest potential upsets.