Rep. Angie Craig responds to a photo posted on social media by GOP Rep. Tom Emmer

The image shows her hugging Minnesota Republican Congressman Tom Emmer, the House Majority Whip. Craig tells the Minnesota Star Tribune that Emmer posted it to help her DFL opponent, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who Republicans feel they have a better chance of beating in this year's election.

Craig says the Emmer had his press team in the room, ready to take a photo of them interacting, suggesting it was nothing more than a stunt.

"It's unlikely to have a massive impact in the election, except for, I would guess, that it'll show up in ads," WCCO Radio Political analyst Blois Olson said Thursday. "It'll show up in targeted messages to DFL voters going forward."

Craig says the reason they're smiling in the photo is because she made a joke about whether she put him in the knee scooter he currently uses, in a nod to a heated argument they had on the House floor in January over the killing of Renee Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis this past January.

“Democratic primary voters are not going to fall for Tom Emmer’s nonsense,” Craig said to the Star Tribune.

In the social media message, Emmer posted this message:

"Always great to see my friend and fellow Minnesotan, Angie Craig, around the halls of Congress. She's one of the few Democrats who's willing to work across the aisle to get important legislation like the Laken Riley Act across the finish line! We will miss you around here, Angie."

Emmer also points to Craig voting for the Laken Riley Act in January 2025, which she officially reversed her stance on earlier this year, saying she regretted that vote.

That vote has been used against her by Flanagan and her supporters. The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain non-U.S. nationals who are arrested, charged, or convicted for crimes like burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.

Flanagan won the DFL endorsement in the race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tina Smith, although Craig made the decision to skip the state DFL Convention and go straight to August's primary.

Always great to see my friend and fellow Minnesotan, Angie Craig, around the halls of Congress. She's one of the few Democrats who's willing to work across the aisle to get important legislation like the Laken Riley Act across the finish line!

We will miss you around here,… pic.twitter.com/NYWmA0NHCu

— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) June 10, 2026