Trump's Immigration Policies Cast Shadow on Minnesota Senate Race

WHO:

AP - U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are candidates in Minnesota's Democratic Senate primary.

AP - Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has not endorsed either candidate.

AP - Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, is a candidate in the Republican field.

AP - Bryce Bohne, a teacher and owner of an educational tourism company, supports Flanagan.

AP - Kevin Anderson, a Hennepin County commissioner, supports Craig.

AP - Justin Ropella, a customer service manager from Woodbury, supports Flanagan.

WHAT:

AP - Immigration has become a central issue in the Minnesota Senate primary.

AP - Craig voted for the Laken Riley Act, which requires federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes.

AP - Craig expressed regret for her vote on the Laken Riley Act after a surge of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

AP - Craig's campaign has spent $9 million, while Flanagan's has spent $5.5 million.

AP - Flanagan supports Medicare for All and wants to curtail U.S. military support for Israel.

WHERE:

AP - The Democratic Senate primary is taking place in Minnesota.

AP - Protests occurred near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building next to the Minneapolis airport.

AP - Memorials for Renee Good and Alex Pretti are located a few miles away from the federal building.

WHEN:

AP - The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is scheduled for a Tuesday.

AP - The Laken Riley Act was passed early in 2025.

AP - A firebombing incident in Boulder, Colorado, occurred in 2025.

WHY:

AP - Craig's vote for the immigration bill is seen as a betrayal by Flanagan and her supporters.

AP - Craig's regret over her vote was influenced by the aggressive actions of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

HOW:

AP - Protests against immigration enforcement involved assembling with whistles and cellphone cameras.

AP - Craig has adopted the language of the insurgent left in her campaign efforts.

(UPDATED August 9, 2026 20:04 UTC)

In Minnesota's Democratic Senate primary, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are vying for the nomination, with Craig's campaign spending $9 million compared to Flanagan's $5.5 million. Immigration has emerged as a pivotal issue, particularly following Craig's controversial vote for the Laken Riley Act, which she later expressed regret over due to the increased presence of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, protests have erupted near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, with supporters rallying against immigration enforcement and expressing their discontent with Craig's past decisions.