Minnesota Senate Democratic Primary Grows Heated as Immigration Takes Center Stage

Two leading Democratic candidates zero in on each other’s records after two fatal shootings by federal agents in the state.

Angie Craig, D-Minn.

Democratic Rep. Angie Craig is competing against Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in a competitve Senate primary. The two candidates are criticizing each others immigration records. Allison Robbert/AP

Two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota have put the spotlight on the candidates’ immigration positions in the state’s open Senate Democratic primary.

Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan were already in a heated contest for the open Democratic seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tina Smith. But their differences on immigration recently escalated into sharp, public attacks.

NOTUS interviewed both candidates last week following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. On Saturday a Border Patrol agent also shot and killed Alex Pretti. The shooting, captured on camera, has sparked a new wave of protests and questions about federal enforcement operations in the state.