U.S. Senate showdown: Minnesota rivals to face off in sole debate
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Tafoya (L) and Flanagan have agreed to just one debate. Photos: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images and Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images
Minnesota U.S. Senate candidates Peggy Flanagan and Michele Tafoya face off in a debate hosted by MPR News Friday.
Why it matters: It's the only confirmed chance for voters to hear — and see — the rivals go head-to-head on the issues before the Nov. 3 midterm election.
State of play: Polls and other metrics suggest the open seat is one of the closest on Minnesota's ballots this year.
- Recent surveys put Flanagan ahead by low single digits, prompting one top election forecaster to shift the race's rating from "likely Democrat" to "lean Democrat."
Catch up fast: Flanagan, the current lieutenant governor, and Tafoya, a longtime NFL sideline reporter, are the DFL and GOP nominees to succeed retiring DFL U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.
- Independent Marisa Simonetti and Libertarian Rebecca Whiting are also on the ballot, though neither will participate in the debate.
Friction points: Tafoya will likely face fresh questions about whether she'd support President Trump's agenda and judicial picks, given his low approval rating and recent endorsement of her campaign.
- Tafoya, a moderate Republican who's pitching herself as an independent voice, has taken steps to distance herself from some of the president's most unpopular policies and to highlight her past support for abortion rights as she tries to win over swing voters.
- Her response this week to Trump voicing support for her bid was a tepid "I heard about that."
Flanagan, meanwhile, could be pressed for more details on her role in the Walz administration's response to rampant fraud in social services programs.
- The two-term lieutenant governor recently told the Star Tribune that while more should have been done, she "did not lead in this area of work," a potential departure from previous comments that played up a close governing partnership with Gov. Tim Walz.
- The progressive Democrat has centered her campaign on standing up to Trump on ICE and other issues, as she airs ads tying Tafoya to the president.
Plus: Gas prices, Operation Metro Surge and public safety are among the topics that have dominated the ads and attacks in the lead-up to the debate.
Between the lines: Don't expect either candidate to run only with their talking points.
- The debate moderator, MPR politics editor Brian Bakst, is known for peppering candidates with substantive, policy-oriented questions.
Follow the money: Campaigns and outside groups have dropped more than $4 million on TV, radio and digital ads since the August primary, per AdImpact, with Republicans holding a spending advantage.
Yes, but: Despite polls showing a potentially close outcome, the race has yet to attract the same level of outside cash as other competitive Senate contests across the nation.
📻 📺 💻 Tune in: The debate airs at noon on the radio — 91.1 FM for Twin Cities listeners — and online at MPRNews.com, where a video stream will be available.