GOP Senate Candidate Calls Out Opponent

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michele Tafoya is sharpening her attacks on Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, arguing that Minnesota’s leadership failed to adequately protect taxpayers from fraud and raising questions about Flanagan’s financial growth while serving in state government.

During a Friday appearance on Newsmax TV’s “Finnerty,” Tafoya said Flanagan should be held accountable for problems that occurred during the administration of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.

“Peggy Flanagan has been a disaster, and she does not deserve a promotion to the United States Senate,” Tafoya said, adding that Flanagan instead “needs a pink slip.”

The comments come as Tafoya and Flanagan compete in a closely watched race for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.

Tafoya Blames Minnesota Leadership for Fraud Failures

Tafoya, who previously worked as a sideline reporter for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” argued that federal investigators played the leading role in uncovering fraud involving Minnesota programs.

Flanagan has served as lieutenant governor alongside Walz since 2019.

According to Tafoya, Minnesota officials had years to identify and address problems before federal authorities became heavily involved.

She argued that state leaders cannot now claim credit for attempting to clean up fraud after outside investigators and members of the public drew attention to the issue.

Tafoya specifically referenced YouTuber Nick Shirley, whose video outside the Quality Learning Center, a Minneapolis-area day care, attracted national attention in December.

Tafoya accused Flanagan of avoiding accountability for what happened during the Walz administration.

“She is shirking responsibility,” Tafoya said. “Leaders don’t do that.”

Her criticism comes months after Walz announced in January that he would not seek a third term as governor.

Tafoya suggested that while Walz decided to leave the governor’s race, Flanagan is now seeking a political promotion to the U.S. Senate.

Flanagan’s Finances Become Campaign Issue

Tafoya also turned her attention to Flanagan’s personal finances, saying she intends to scrutinize corruption and fraud regardless of political party.

She questioned reports showing that Flanagan and her household have accumulated significant assets during her years in public office.

Tafoya claimed Flanagan became a multimillionaire while serving as lieutenant governor and suggested her net worth had risen dramatically.

“How does that happen? I don’t know,” Tafoya said.

Tafoya did not provide evidence that Flanagan engaged in illegal or unethical conduct related to her finances.

According to federal financial disclosure information reported by the Minnesota Reformer, Flanagan and her husband, Tom Weber, listed household assets valued between approximately $990,000 and $2.7 million.

Flanagan earned about $129,000 as Minnesota lieutenant governor in 2025.

Tafoya herself reported considerably larger financial holdings, listing assets valued between roughly $10.7 million and $37.9 million.

Financial disclosure forms typically report assets in broad value ranges rather than providing an exact calculation of a candidate’s net worth.

Minnesota Senate Race Remains Extremely Close

The increasingly aggressive exchanges come as polling suggests Minnesota’s Senate contest could be unusually competitive.

An InsiderAdvantage survey of 1,200 likely voters conducted Sept. 28-29 showed Flanagan receiving 46% support compared with 45% for Tafoya.

That one-point difference was within the poll’s margin of error, effectively leaving the race too close to call.

For Republicans, Minnesota represents an opportunity to break a long losing streak in statewide Senate contests.

The GOP has not won a U.S. Senate election in Minnesota since 2002, making Tafoya’s campaign potentially significant for Republicans hoping to expand their strength in traditionally Democratic territory.

For Flanagan, the race could become a referendum not only on national Democratic policies but also on the record of the Walz-Flanagan administration.

Tafoya is clearly attempting to make government accountability, taxpayer protection and alleged failures to detect fraud central issues during the final stretch of the campaign.

With Election Day approaching on Nov. 3 and the candidates separated by only a narrow margin in recent polling, questions surrounding state government oversight could play an important role in determining which candidate wins the open Senate seat.

For Minnesota voters, the larger question may be whether they believe the current administration deserves continued representation in Washington or whether it is time to give Republicans an opportunity to take the state in a different direction.