Democratic Rep. Angie Craig Launches Senate Run In Minnesota

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Huff Post

Apr 29, 2025, 05:55 AM EDT


Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) announced her campaign for Senate in Minnesota on Tuesday, becoming a top contender to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) at the end of next year. The 53-year-old congresswoman cited disarray in President Donald Trump’s administration as reasons for jumping into the race, including Trump’s efforts to profit off the presidency and his and billionaire Elon Musk’s attempts to dismantle the federal government.

“There’s chaos and corruption coming out of Washington, crashing down on all of us every day,” Craig said in a video released by her campaign. “An out-of-control unelected billionaire trying to take over our government and burn it to the ground. A president trampling our rights and freedoms as he profits for personal gain and a cowardly Republican Party rolling over and letting it all happen. It’s time to fight back.”

Craig is the first openly LGBTQ member to serve in Congress from Minnesota. The centrist Democrat was elected to the House in 2018 in what was then a GOP district and quickly rose in the ranks, becoming the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. She was also the first swing-district Democrat to call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

“I grew up in a mobile home park — raised by a single mom, nobody gave us much of a chance,” Craig said in her launch video. “I worked my way through college. Started my career as a newspaper reporter. Then helped lead a major Minnesota manufacturing company. My wife Cheryl and I fought like hell to be the parents of our four wonderful boys, as some people — even a state government — tried to stop us.”

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/angie-craig-senate-minnesota_n_681015dfe4b0c99c9f2416c1

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[JustAnotherGen]

1. She has a strong message

All the best to her!

[Scubamatt]

2. Mixed feelings

Resident of Minnesota here. Was in Craig's District for a while before last re-districting. She is in an admittedly purple (at best) district, but this last cycle she really went after Democrats - not to urge stronger action, but in an effort to appear "moderate" and reach out to the other side. She's a big proponent of the "both side's do it" meme. It was really disheartening. If she is the nominee, I will support her, but would prefer someone who isn't as willing to publicly stab Democrats in the back in an effort to appear moderate.

[generalbetrayus]

3. This morning I received a text message that started "Harold, can I get personal?".

It was from Democratic Representative Angie Craig from Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, asking for money to help her launch a campaign for Senate. I responded that addressing me as Harold, which is not my name, and asking if she could get personal, was not a top-quality way to solicit campaign funding. Then I blocked her.

[iemanja]

7. I received three texts today asking for money

Two after I unsubscribed. She uses different phone numbers.

[Mawspam2]

4. No, thanks. I'm going with MN Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

https://peggyflanagan.com/

[fujiyamasan]

5. Minnesota is more purple than people think

Even with Walz on the ticket Harris won it by just over four points.

I’d expect a democrat to win the senate seat in 2026. How does craig compare to Flanagan in terms of name recognition state wide? A stronger candidate means that fewer resources need to be poured into this race and can be spent on offense in capturing republican held seats.

[iemanja]

6. As Lt. governor, Flanagan has widespread name

recognition. I world think Craig does too.

[fujiyamasan]

10. Thanks, I skipped over Flanagan's current position

I know Minnesota elected Pawlenty and Norm Coleman back in the day (yuck) but I get the impression the GOP bench isn’t particularly strong in the state. I could be wrong.

Craig’s district sounds pretty purple, so if she won’t the senate seat, democrats would need to find another strong candidate.

[LNM]

8. Minnesota is a purple state

I really like Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and it’s admirable that Walz opted not to run opposing her but I’m not sure she can win state-wide. Angie Craig is popular in a purple district and seems to reach across the aisle when necessary. I believe that’s the same reason Amy K. is popular star-wide. We need to keep this seat.

[fujiyamasan]

11. This is the impression I got

This is a must win race for Dems. 2026 looks like a really difficult map overall. Maine and North Carolina look like the only realistic pickup possibilities right now.

Of course, that changes depending how much of a drag trump is on republicans by the midterms.

[question everything]

9. My concern is that her district will will turn red without her