Peggy Flanagan

U.S. Senator-elect from Minnesota; Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota

Won

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat 53.7% to Republican Michele Tafoya's 43.6% on Nov. 3, 2026 (AP data via NBC News). A citizen of the White Earth Nation, she becomes the first Native American woman elected to the Senate.

2026 race

U.S. Senate, Minnesota

Flanagan53.7%
Tafoya43.6%

Result Won Won (hold): Flanagan 53.7%, Tafoya 43.6%

Source: nbcnews.com

Biography

Flanagan has been Minnesota's lieutenant governor since 2019, serving with Gov. Tim Walz, after time in the Minnesota House. She won the DFL nomination on Aug. 11, 2026, for the seat left open by Sen. Tina Smith's retirement.

Record

Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota since 2019
Minnesota House of Representatives (2015–2019)

Life & background

Things you might not know, from public records.

She is of Irish and Ojibwe descent and a citizen of the White Earth Nation. [Source]
She trained activists and candidates at Wellstone Action. [Source]

Coverage

People · Explainer
Four New Faces Win Statehouses and a Senate Seat for Democrats
Nov 4

Sources

2026 Senate Results: Democrats retake control NBC News (AP data)
2026 Senate midterm election results as Democrats win control CBS News
Peggy Flanagan – Wikipedia Wikipedia

Updated 2026-11-04