Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement Wednesday that he would not run for an open Minnesota Senate seat has thawed a frozen field. Now, all eyes turn toward Democratic Rep. Angie Craig.
A handful of ambitious Democrats already said they were considering runs after Sen. Tina Smith revealed her surprise retirement earlier this month. But others stayed quiet, watching the former vice presidential candidate closely.
By stepping aside, Walz potentially clears the way for Craig, a strong fundraiser who could claim a more centrist lane among a group of left-leaning candidates. In a brief interview Thursday, Craig said she began testing the waters for a run on the day Walz made his decision public.
“I started making calls yesterday looking for feedback on what they are looking for in terms of a representative to the Senate for the state of Minnesota,” Craig said. “Tim Walz has been such a great friend, and I wanted to respect the fact that he was taking a look at this seat over the last couple of weeks.”
First elected in 2018 by ousting GOP Rep. Jason Lewis, Craig has fended off well-funded challengers more than once. She became the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee — a coveted position for members in agriculture-friendly states. Craig won the top spot over the more senior Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and replaced the aging Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.).
“I want to be very purposeful about this,” Craig said. “I’ve got a great job here in the House. I love my district and the people in it, but I also absolutely love the people of Minnesota, and so we’ll see where all that lands in the coming weeks.”
Walz took another major factor off the table: his endorsement. He indicated he would not back anyone in the primary — a move that could be seen as a snub to his own lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, who jumped in the race shortly after Smith announced her retirement. Flanagan, who is the highest-ranking Native American woman elected to executive office in the nation, could certainly claim the progressive mantle.
Other possible candidates include Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a former surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the progressive “Squad.”
Omar said in a brief interview she’s “still looking at” a Senate race. Omar has a national profile and the ability to raise large funds. However, an Omar or Ellison candidacy could entice AIPAC spending in the race to boost another candidate. (AIPAC has spent heavily against Omar in a primary before.)
But too many far-left candidates in the race could split the progressive vote — something that would benefit Craig.
One name to cross off the list of potential candidates: first-term Democratic Rep. Kelly Morrison, who said in a brief interview she was staying put: “No, I just got here.”
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