ST. PAUL 鈥� Attorney General Keith Ellison endorsed Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for U.S. Senate in a video announcement posted on Monday, March 31.
The video, , shows Ellison and Flanagan seated opposite one another at a table and Ellison saying, 鈥淚鈥檝e always thought you鈥檇 be a great United States senator.鈥� Flanagan responds that it 鈥淛ust so happens鈥� that she鈥檚 running Senate, to which Ellison says, 鈥淚 think you should do it and I support you and I hope other people do, too 鈥� You go get 鈥檈m!鈥�
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Ellison is the first major state Democrat to endorse Flanagan鈥檚 bid for U.S. Senate, as Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Tina Smith both said they鈥檙e opting out of endorsing a candidate before the primary. The endorsement also rules out a bid from Ellison, something he previously said he was considering.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored to receive the endorsement of the people鈥檚 lawyer and my friend: MN Attorney General Keith Ellison,鈥� Flanagan said on X Monday. 鈥淜eith has been fighting against Trump鈥檚 attacks on behalf of Minnesotans.鈥�
Flanagan was the first to throw her hat in the race after Smith announced on Feb. 13 that she would not be seeking re-election. Former state Sen. Melisa L贸pez Franzen, a DFL candidate, has also announced a bid for the seat.
Several individuals without public office experience have also joined the race: former Republican U.S. Sen. candidate Royce White; Republican Adam Schwarze, a retired Navy SEAL and former infantry marine; former candidate for the Hennepin County Commission Marissa Simonetti, an Independent; former U.S. Navy engineer Raymond Peterson, a Republican; and Mike Ruoho, a Republican restaurant executive.
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