Fraud, affordability and Trump policies drive friction in Minnesota Senate debate

Minnesota's U. S. Senate contest is close but has drawn little national money, and a Friday debate on MPR News showed where the two nominees clash. Democrat Peggy Flanagan, the state's lieutenant governor for eight years, faces Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter who has never held office. Democrats have held the seat since 2009. Polls show a tight race, with Flanagan ahead by 4% in the latest. Republicans have steered resources toward shakier red states, and Minnesota's contest could still help decide Senate control, according to NPR.

Tafoya blamed Flanagan for a fraud scandal in which about 70 people have been convicted of stealing millions from state programs, saying it happened on her watch. Flanagan responds that the matter was outside her responsibilities. Flanagan also portrays Tafoya as a Trump loyalist who only lately sought distance from him. Trump, speaking at an Ohio rally, assailed Minnesota's Somali community over welfare abuse and urged votes for Tafoya, who dodged a debate question on whether she would appear with him.

On immigration, Flanagan wants ICE dismantled, while Tafoya called the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti devastating but faulted the protests.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NPR’s reporting. Read the full story at NPR →