Axios Twin Cities

March 30, 2026
Welcome back!
- Sunny with a high of 71, per NWS. Enjoy it, because the rest of the week looks colder and wetter.
π Happy birthday to our members Christine G. and Roxanne Votaw!
Today's newsletter is 1,067 words, a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: ICE surge shakes up DFL Senate race
Sharp-elbowed attacks over ICE, fraud and electability are flying in the high-stakes U.S. Senate primary between U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Why it matters: Political fallout over Operation Metro Surge has stoked a race that was already seen as a proxy battle over the future of the Democratic Party.
Catch up quick: President Trump's immigration enforcement crackdown angered and activated Democratic voters statewide.
- That gave Flanagan, already the favorite among progressives, an opening to hammer Craig over a 2025 vote to give agents more authority to detain noncitizens accused of certain crimes.
- In early March, Craig reversed course and said she "regrets" her "difficult" decision to vote for the Laken Riley Act.
What we're hearing: The issue has given Flanagan serious momentum among the delegates who will decide the DFL Party's endorsement in May, multiple DFL analysts and operatives told Axios.
- "She's clearly got a bump," former DFL state Sen. Jeff Hayden told Axios. "[Craig's] lack of sensitivity or judgment on that vote, I think matters a lot to people."
Yes, but: Many of those same DFL insiders, including Hayden, said they wouldn't count Craig out for the August primary even if she loses the endorsement.
What they're saying: "There's no doubt" that backlash over ICE is helping Flanagan "ride away with delegates," Abou Amara, an attorney and political analyst, told Axios.
- But winning the nomination is "not just a question of narrative ... [or] base support," Amara said. "It's a resources question."
Between the lines: The universe of voters who actually pick the nominee is much bigger, and historically more ideologically diverse, than those who decide the endorsement.
- In some recent elections β including when Flanagan first ran alongside Gov. Tim Walz in 2018 β DFL primary voters have shown a willingness to buck their party's seal of approval.
Follow the money: While the endorsement unlocks resources and support from the party, Craig has so far amassed a campaign cash advantage over Flanagan.
- That could help Craig amplify her side's message β including her own efforts to call out ICE β as more voters tune in.
What we're watching: Craig recently ramped up criticism over the lieutenant governor's role in the Walz administration's handling of fraud β an issue many operatives see as a big political liability for Democrats statewide.
- Flanagan told the Star Tribune that Walz has "taken significant steps" to prevent more fraud and accused Craig of "using Republicans' playbook" for the attacks.
What's next: Campaign finance reports released in mid-April will give a better picture of where the candidates' cash reserves stand.
2. Zoom in: How ICE changed one voter's mind
Shortly after U.S. Sen. Tina Smith announced she wasn't running, Democrat Rowan Wagner thought picking Craig as the nominee "just made sense."
- The 27-year-old paramedic told Axios that he didn't agree with Craig on everything, but he liked her insulin affordability push and that she'd won tough races in a crucial south metro swing seat.
Then, federal agents flooded Minnesota, and Wagner saw his patients face serious medical issues after delaying care out of fear.
- Fighting Trump's immigration agenda became his No. 1 issue.
Frustrated by Craig's Laken Riley vote, Wagner began volunteering for Flanagan's campaign. In February, he attended a precinct caucus for the first time and raised his hand to be a delegate for his local convention.
The big picture: Flanagan's backers say Wagner's story reflects a bigger trend of fresh faces showing up at DFL eventsβ and breaking their way.
What they're saying: "I haven't seen this many new people at this level of convention since Obama," State Auditor Julie Blaha, a frequent Flanagan surrogate at rural meetings, told Axios.
- Blaha said her pitch, which frames the race as a "choice between push back and play along," is resonating deeply in those rooms.
The other side: Craig says giving ICE more authority under Trump was a mistake and that she believes voters will give her credit for "being honest, even when it's hard." Her boosters point to examples of how she too pushed back.
- "She's been very strong, calling out Kristi Noem, making sure she's at the Whipple Building, calling out the wrongdoing," Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) told Axios.
The fellow swing-district Democrat said he thinks Craig's record and proven "ability to far over perform" in a tough races will win over the broader DFL primary electorate.
- "The real issue here is that we as Democrats have to ultimately win if we don't want this federal overreach to continue," he said.
3. The Spoon: Highway 280 closures coming soon
π§ A stretch of Highway 280 that runs between I-94 in St. Paul and Highway 36/Interstate 35W in Roseville will close for construction starting next month. (MPR News)
- MnDOT says the goal is for both directions to reopen in time for the State Fair.
π Concerns over assaults and other serious behavioral issues have prompted state lawmakers to consider allowing schools to use short suspensions to discipline students in grades K-3. (Star Tribune)
πͺ§ Large crowds turned out for Saturday's No Kings protest in St. Paul. Organizers said more than 200,000 people attended the flagship rally, while the State Patrol put its estimate at 100,000. (WCCO)
βΉοΈββοΈThe Gophers' March Madness run ended Friday with a loss to UCLA. (ESPN)
GOP state Rep. Elliott Engen β who's also running for state auditor β said Friday he was "deeply sorry" for his early morning arrest on suspicion of DWI. (Axios)
4. π Map du jour: We're team Reese's

Many Minnesotans hopping to the store for Easter treats this week are adding Reese's Peanut Butter Bunnies to their basket.
How it works: DoorDash analyzed which Easter basket candies over-index by state, and the chocolate treats are uniquely popular across the country.
π₯ Torey's thought bubble: Cadbury mini eggs are the undeniable GOAT of Easter candy.
5. πΈ Photo trivia: Need directions? Look up
Audrey spotted this map of downtown Minneapolis while out on the town.
- Where'd she find it? Reply with your guess.
We'll send one reader who gets it right an Axios tote!
π¦ Kyle learned why White Bear Lake loves Cup and Cone while chaperoning 39 teenagers through the line after a speech tournament.
π Audrey is reading "Severance."
π° Torey is off all week for family time and Easter fun!
π‘ Nick is worried he might need a new sewer line. The joys of 100-year-old homes.
Today's newsletter was edited by Tyler Buchanan.
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