government
Angie Craig responds to criticism from VP JD Vance and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
By Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 17, 2026
· 2 min read
Congresswoman Angie Craig skipped the DFL Party endorsing convention in May and plunged straight into a primary campaign against the DFL-endorsed candidate, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan.
“You have to go everywhere,” Craig said about seeking support from a broader number of DFL voters. “You have...
Key takeaway “The Lieutenant governor has a unique vulnerability in this particular race,” she says.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
Congresswoman Angie Craig's decision to bypass the DFL Party endorsing convention and head straight into a primary campaign against Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan sets the stage for a contentious election season in Minneapolis . As Craig seeks to make the case for her electability in a statewide race, her comments on fraud in the SNAP program and her vote on the Laken Riley Act will likely resonate with local voters who are concerned about government accountability and immigration policies. The fact that Craig is highlighting her commitment to supporting immigrant neighbors may strike a chord in the Twin Cities, which has a significant immigrant population. Meanwhile, the criticism from VP JD Vance and Lt. Governor Flanagan will test Craig's ability to navigate the complexities of a primary campaign while also addressing the concerns of her constituents in Minneapolis and beyond.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Minneapolis stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Congresswoman Angie Craig skipped the DFL Party endorsing convention in May and plunged straight into a primary campaign against the DFL-endorsed candidate, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan.
“You have to go everywhere,” Craig said about seeking support from a broader number of DFL voters. “You have...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ryan Pattee at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter