# Trump-backed ex-NFL reporter loses Senate race to progressive who vowed to ‘rip ICE apart’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/trump-backed-ex-nfl-reporter-loses-senate-race-to-progressive-who-vowed-to-rip-ice-apart/
- Published: 2026-11-04T04:20:18+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T05:50:51+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-backed-ex-nfl-reporter-loses-senate-race-progressive-who-vowed-rip-ice-apart
- Topics: Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Peggy Flanagan defeated Michele Tafoya in Minnesota.
- Tafoya’s campaign focused on Flanagan’s role in the fraud scandal.
- Flanagan criticised ICE and called for change in Democratic leadership.

## Summary

Progressive Democrat Peggy Flanagan defeated Republican Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s Senate race, thwarting Republican hopes of flipping the state. Flanagan’s win supports Democrats’ efforts to gain power in the Senate, though the seat was already held by a Democrat.

The campaign was shaped by a multibillion-dollar daycare fraud scandal and the Trump administration’s immigration operation in Minnesota. Tafoya questioned Flanagan’s responsibility as lieutenant governor, while Flanagan said oversight rested with Governor Tim Walz; she also called for dismantling ICE and criticised Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.