Minnesota Senate Race Shaken by ICE, Fraud and Ilhan Omar Probe

Newsweek ^ | 10/26/26 | Andrew Stanton

[Libloather]

Republicans view the Minnesota Senate race as a potential pickup opportunity in the 2026 midterm elections, even as they face an increasingly difficult national environment in the final stretch of the campaign.

The Minnesota Senate race shifted from Likely Democratic to Lean Democratic in the Cook Political Report as a flurry of recent polls showed a tight race between Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and retired broadcaster Michele Tafoya, a Republican.

While Republicans are dealing with challenging headwinds nationally, Democrats are having their own difficulties in Minnesota, experts told Newsweek. The race presents Republicans a pickup opportunity in a cycle that has been difficult for their party.

Democrats have faced backlash over Democratic Governor Tim Walz’s handling of a fraud scandal in the general election, which has become a flash point in the Senate race, with Flanagan facing scrutiny over her proximity to Walz.

Fraud and Corruption Among Top Issues

There is "no doubt" the race is competitive as Flanagan has had a difficult time shaking the fraud backlash, Larry Jacobs, political scientist at the University of Minnesota, told Newsweek on Monday.

**SNIP**

Walz and Flanagan Under Fire

The fraud scandal has become a sticking point for Democrats in Minnesota this year.

**SNIP**

'Fatigue' Over Democratic Rule in Minnesota

Republicans believe they may benefit from "fatigue" with Democratic rule in the state, Schultz said.

**SNIP**

Ilhan Omar Probe's Impact on Senate Race Minnesota politics was again upended earlier in October after the Washington-area home of Representative Ilhan Omar, a progressive Democrat representing Minneapolis, was raided amid an ongoing federal immigration probe.

A warrant listed several potential immigration offenses under investigation, including false statements and fraud in immigration paperwork, as well as a general conspiracy charge, The New York Times reported, citing a person familiar with the document.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; History; Local News
KEYWORDS: fraud; minnesota; omar; probe

[Libloather]

The Somalian's lawyers want to drag this out for over a year. I say give Elmi the boot and figure out the details later. Can an illegal alien get a House pension? All new questions.

[Steely Tom]

Republicans pounced. I get it.

[NFHale]

Wow… Gee… thats a shame …🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[bray]

Fake polls and fake concern from fake news.

[Round Earther]

Minnesota is the tip of the spear for the 2026 Republican sweep.

[Fireone]

Should be the Gov., Senate, and AG, but the DFL fraud machine won’t let that happen.

[TornadoAlley3]

Get some Elon money in there. It bites to lose by one point. Get out the vote.

[ComputerGuy]

...as well as a general conspiracy charge...

Huh?

[Bernard]

Back when America was more normal than it is today, every democrat in Minnesota would be swept out of office this election. The idea that elections are even close, let alone that the dem is leading, shows how partisan and lock-stepped this country has become.

Hopefully someday we will finally hit bottom and go back toward our original moral standards and practices.

[DeplorableTrumpSupporter]

Minnesota needs to flip...