Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has always been an advocate for the people and spent her life creating a safer Minnesota for working families, communities of color, and Indigenous communities. As the executive director of theChildren’s Defense Fund, Lt. Governor Flanagan worked on children-centered initiatives aimed at guaranteeing the right to live, learn, and grow up free from violence and fear. After serving as a tireless advocate for Minnesota’s families outside of state government, in 2014 she ran for the Minnesota House of Representatives seeking to pass legislation that would benefit all Minnesotans, and in 2018, she partnered with Governor Tim Walz to bring her fight to the governor’s mansion. With her election to lieutenant governor, she also became the highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office in the country—and this fall she could make history again as the first native woman elected to the Senate.

As a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Lt. Governor Flanagan urged her colleagues to pass commonsense legislation such as universal background checks. Although her efforts in the state house were unsuccessful at the time, she has continued to prioritize the issue in her current role and helped usher in lifesaving improvements to Minnesota’s gun laws by expanding background checks and implementing critically important red flag laws. As lieutenant governor, Lt. Governor Flanagan has also used the tools at her disposal to combat the rise in gun crimes in Minnesota. Throughout their tenure, when Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan have drafted their state budgets, they have made sure to incorporate gun safety measures, including investments in new violence prevention programs that will save lives. Together, they have also started a statewide gun safety initiative to promote responsible gun ownership and to help prevent gun related injuries and thefts. As part of the program, the Department of Public Safety is now providing free gun locks at community events like the Minnesota State Fair. 

Over the past two years, Minnesota has been rocked by truly devastating instances of gun violence, including the assassination of Speaker Melissa Hortman and the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. It’s time to say enough is enough, once and for all. Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan believes that creating a world where everyone, especially our children, feel safe and protected starts with ending gun violence—and voters must get behind her in this critical election. We know she will never cease her fight to build a safer, brighter future for Minnesota, and that passion has never been more needed in Washington. 

We are proud to endorse Peggy Flanagan for the US Senate.