Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig shaking up the U.S. Senate race by announcing she plans to skip this weekend's DFL endorsing convention.
She says she's opting to focus all of her energy on the August 11th primary ballot.
By bypassing the convention, Craig effectively leaves the party's official stamp of approval to her main opponent, progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.
But Craig says she's not foregoing the convention out of a lack of respect for delegates.
"My path to being on the ballot in November was not through the endorsement process," Craig said Wednesday. "It was through the primary process. And so today, for me and for my supporters, is the day that we have been planning for since the start of this race."
Craig says she's relying on her track record of winning over centrists and independent voters to carry her through the summer.
"Today, we learned that Congresswoman Craig would not be joining us at the DFL endorsing convention in Rochester," Flanagan said in a statement Wednesday. "If you can’t face your own party, you’re not ready to face a Republican. I’ll still be working hard to earn your endorsement. I hope to see you there!"
Flanagan, speaking to WCCO's Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar, said she was confident in her ability to win the primary against Craig.
"Our coalition is big, including my dear friend Senator Tina Smith, who currently holds the seat," Flanagan said. "The majority of the DFL legislators, and we've got support from eight U.S. senators, eight sitting U.S. senators, which is more than any other candidate running for the U.S. Senate this cycle. So I am confident that we can take it to the primary and then all the way to November."
