Democratic Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan said Sunday she could not name a single issue she would work with former President Donald Trump on, despite touting her bipartisan record during an interview with Fox News. The exchange comes as Flanagan campaigns against Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s closely watched Senate race, where early voting has shattered midterm records.
Record early voting in Minnesota has exceeded 886,000 ballots as of last week, according to state data, marking a historic surge in turnout ahead of the November election. The surge is most pronounced in seven rural counties previously won by Trump, which analysts note could benefit Tafoya’s campaign. However, experts caution that early voting figures do not reliably predict final election outcomes.
Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and a Democratic nominee, has framed her campaign around opposing Trump’s agenda, accusing his administration of corruption and self-enrichment. In her interview, she highlighted her past work with Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature and at the Children’s Defense Fund–Minnesota as evidence of her bipartisan credentials. When pressed by Fox News’ Bill Melugin on whether she could identify any policies she would collaborate with Trump on, Flanagan did not provide a specific issue.
Corruption allegations dominate the race, with both candidates leveraging the issue in their messaging. Flanagan has tied Tafoya to controversies from her tenure as lieutenant governor under Governor Tim Walz, while Tafoya has accused Flanagan of ethical lapses during her time in office. The race is further complicated by the retirement of Democratic Senator Tina Smith, leaving an open seat in a state traditionally considered a Democratic stronghold.
The Minnesota Senate race is one of several battleground contests this cycle that could determine control of Congress. Republicans are defending narrow majorities in both the House and Senate, while Democrats aim to flip chambers by targeting competitive races. In Minnesota, Tafoya’s campaign has gained traction amid the early voting surge, though analysts emphasize that turnout patterns alone do not guarantee electoral success.
Both campaigns have not responded to requests for comment on the latest developments.