Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz endorsed Rep. Angie Craig in the state’s competitive Senate primary on Monday, inviting speculation over the governor’s role in what has been one of the most bitterly fought Democratic primaries this year.
Read more McConnell not medically cleared to leave rehab yet, Capitol physician says
Walz’s husband, Gov. Tim Walz, has not endorsed in the race, although his lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, is also running and has secured the endorsement of the state’s Democratic Party. In her endorsement for Craig, Gwen Walz cited the congresswoman’s work on LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive health care and her record winning competitive races. A spokesperson for the governor did not say whether he was involved in Gwen Walz’s endorsement.
The governor was Democrats’ 2024 nominee for the vice presidency, but his political star crashed amid a highly publicized fraud scandal in his state.
Flanagan has since distanced herself from the scandal and Walz, who has fallen on the sword over the alleged fraud scheme. The Minnesota Star Tribune reported the two were not meeting or speaking privately in the months following Walz’s failed vice-presidential run.
Read more Pentagon relabels U.S. casualties caused by Iran amid scrutiny of wartime transparency
“I was on board right with him to run for a third term. He made that decision [not to], and I certainly, respected it,” Flanagan said in a May interview with The Washington Post. “But I also know that the governor said the fraud stops with him, right? The buck stops with him.”
Flanagan’s campaign said in a statement that she “respects Gwen Walz and the Lt. Governor is proud of the work accomplished in the Walz-Flanagan administration.” The campaign also listed several high-profile endorsements for Flanagan, including from Sen. Tina Smith, state Attorney General Keith Ellison and numerous other prominent Minnesota Democrats.
Catch up quickly every weekday morning with a rundown of the 7 most important and interesting stories. Sign up for The 7 newsletter.
Read more Trump heads to Michigan to sell economy as GOP fears midterm fallout
