It's become a tense, and close race for an open Senate seat in Minnesota. WCCO Radio goes Behind the Ballot on the U.S. Senate race between DFL Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya.
"I'm running for Senate to help people afford their lives," says Flanagan. "When you fail this badly, you get fired," says Tafoya.
Those comments illustrate the differing strategies of the two candidates, with Flanagan distancing herself from the Walz administration's fraud problem, speaking with WCCO's Esme Murphy.
"I'm incredibly angry about the fraud, as most Minnesotans are as well," Flanagan said. "But I supported the Independent Office of Inspector General and harsher penalties, and I know that it's incredibly important for us to also asked the question, what about Washington?"
In a conversation with KSTP-TV political reporter and WCCO Radio host Tom Hauser, Tafoya distanced herself from President Trump, who has lost support in Minnesota according to polling.
"Look, I think I'm an equal opportunity observer of this president, and like I said, when he does things well, I'll say it. And when he doesn't, I will say it as well," Tafoya explained.
Both are also taking the opportunity to attack each other's campaigns. The Democrat Flanagan jumped on a comment Tafoya made early on.
"As Minnesotans were figuring out how to fill up their tanks, she told them to 'keep a stiff upper lip and take one less trip to Starbucks,'" Flanagan said in an ad.
Tafoya maximized voter frustration with two top issues making national news.
"We already knew that on Peggy Flanagan's watch, Minnesota has a massive, historic fraud crisis," Tafoya adds. "Now the entire country knows that under Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota has a crime crisis as well, particularly Somali gang violence.
A Republican has not held a Minnesota U.S. Senate seat since 2009 when former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman lost his reelection bid to Democrat Al Franken. The seat is being vacated by Democrat Tina Smith, who is not running for re-election.
