Michele Tafoya attacks Peggy Flanagan over welfare fraud as poll narrows Senate race

Michele Tafoya, the Republican who won a crowded primary, used one outlet Sunday appearance to criticize Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan for welfare fraud that occurred under her watch. She referenced a Hennepin County incident in which $2 million intended for businesses hit by ICE raids was largely unclaimed, with 200 of 300 applications flagged for potential fraud. Tafoya argued that Minnesota has seen little accountability, noting Governor Tim Walz's choice not to run for a third term as the sole recent action.

A poll shows Flanagan leading by 1.8 points, indicating a highly competitive Senate contest. Tafoya aims to attract voters outside the college-educated demographic, describing them as the “heart of the Trump coalition” and emphasizing a “common sense” platform versus what she called chaos. The race will be decided in the November general election.