It’s rare for a U.S. Senate race without an incumbent to feature just one debate, but that’s the case in the race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.
Republican Michele Tafoya and Democrat Peggy Flanagan debated at noon Friday in the Minnesota Public Radio studio, arguing about everything from President Donald Trump to the war in Iran to fraud.
This is the first and only debate in which both candidates participate before Election Day.
Tafoya initially supported the war, but now says it is time to end it. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” she said, “but it has been going on for seven months now and Minnesotans and Americans in general are suffering. The prices are too high. This war must end and it must end quickly. It must also end strategically. I would like to see the president present an exit strategy that the American people can listen to.”
Flanagan criticized Tafoya for his initial support of the war. “This war is costing us financially, but also in human lives,” she declared. “Twenty-one military men and women lost their lives, including a Minnesota resident. A mother. This is unacceptable. We must hold this president accountable.”
Both candidates also debated the impact of the Big Beautiful Bill, particularly the lack of access to Medicaid and SNAP benefits for thousands of Minnesota families.
“This Big Beautiful Bill under Donald Trump has been absolutely terrible in Minnesota and Michele Tafoya has encouraged him,” Flanagan said.
Tafoya responded by criticizing Flanagan for doing nothing to prevent fraud during nearly eight years as lieutenant governor.
“And she’s talking about access?” » said Tafoya, responding to Flanagan. “All this money left the state of Minnesota, this historic fraud happened on her watch and all of a sudden she’s turning to Medicaid and SNAP? Selling it to someone else, Peggy.”
Recent polls show this race is too close to call. Our latest KSTP/SurveyUSA poll released this week shows Flanagan leading by three points, 45% to 42%, but within the margin of error of +/-4.2%. A Minnesota Star Tribune/KARE 11 poll showed Flanagan up by four points.
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