Peggy Flanagan’s record as Minnesota’s lieutenant governor is coming under renewed scrutiny following her victory in Tuesday’s DFL Senate primary, with questions about the state’s fraud scandals and her position on so-called “gender-affirming care” following her into the November general election.
Flanagan defeated U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in Tuesday’s primary election and will face Republican nominee Michele Tafoya in November.
After the primary, Flanagan appeared in a CNN interview to discuss her victory and the upcoming general election.
When the host asked whether Flanagan would take “any accountability” for the fraud scandals that emerged during her tenure in Gov. Tim Walz’s administration, Flanagan did not directly address whether she bore responsibility.
“Fraud of any kind is completely unacceptable,” she said. “As someone who ran an organization that served children and families, the fact that taxpayer dollars would be stolen is horrific. What I would also say is that what I hear from Minnesotans is that they are done with the corruption and grift that is happening under Donald Trump.”
Minnesota Democrat Peggy Flanagan dodges when asked about ignoring billions in fraud under her watch.
CNN: "Do you take any accountability for the fraud that has happened under your administration's watch?"
FLANAGAN: "Fraud of any kind is completely unacceptable." pic.twitter.com/WTxRnv5iWX
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 12, 2026
When the CNN anchor attempted to steer the conversation back to whether Flanagan would take accountability for the fraud, Flanagan again stated that fraud is unacceptable.
During an appearance on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe,” Flanagan was again asked about her responsibility for fraud occurring during the Walz administration.
“The governor says the buck stops with him,” she said. “More should have been sooner. And I agree.”
GEIST: Do you deserve any responsibility though, Lt Gov, for those fraud schemes that have taken place in your state over the past several years?
FLANAGAN: The governor says the buck stops with him. More should have been sooner. And I agree. pic.twitter.com/LRPAxEFiKz
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 13, 2026
She then criticized President Trump for continuing to “make money hand over fist by simply being in power” and emphasized her goal of having checks imposed on the Trump administration.
Despite being a pressing issue facing the state of Minnesota, Flanagan did not address fraud during her victory speech Tuesday night, instead highlighting other key policies of her campaign, Fox News reported.
Craig repeatedly criticized Flanagan for the state’s fraud crisis during the primary, at one point slamming the lieutenant governor for taking “absolutely no accountability” for the issue.
WATCH: Democrat Angie Craig blasts Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for continuing to "take absolutely no accountability" for fraud under the Walz administration
"You were the number two elected leader in Minnesota during that period of time."
At the same time, Craig touted First Lady… pic.twitter.com/kTgKPmteXL
— Alpha News (@AlphaNews) July 29, 2026
The CNN interview also touched on Flanagan’s position on “gender-affirming care” and whether she supports age restrictions for such practices, with the host noting that Minnesota law currently sets no minimum age.
“I believe that what we need to do is make sure that people have access to healthcare,” Flanagan said.
When the host repeated the question, Flanagan said, “I think gender-affirming care is part of healthcare.”
“I think our law, as it stands, is a good law,” she added. “I’ve supported it in the past. But I think the real question that people are struggling with is if I go to the doctor, how am I going to pay that bill?”
And when the anchor asked if Flanagan was okay with a 10-year-old receiving “gender-affirming care,” Flanagan again did not give a direct yes-or-no answer.
“I want to be clear that these medical decisions absolutely should be made between a family and their doctor. Period. Full stop,” she said.
WATCH: Minnesota Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Peggy Flanagan refuses to support a minimum age requirement for sex change procedures
"So you support the law as is, no limit. So if a 10-year-old wanted it you would be okay with that?" pic.twitter.com/7M6DLQOg0S
— Alpha News (@AlphaNews) August 13, 2026
Flanagan’s responses come as she transitions to running as the Democratic nominee for one of Minnesota’s Senate seats, where her record in the Walz administration is likely to remain a significant part of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Walz, whose wife endorsed Flanagan’s primary opponent, has remained largely absent from the campaign trail in recent weeks. On Aug. 8, just days before the primary election, Walz posted a video of himself golfing at the Northwest Angle Country Club.
Rachael Van Rossum
Rachael Van Rossum is a journalist and author who studies political science in the Twin Cities. She previously interned with the Illinois House of Representatives and recently published her debut fantasy novel "The Hellburner of Sovi." Rachael is passionate about telling compelling stories and bringing to life the voices of political figures, athletes, and members of her community through engaging writing. She is the Alpha News journalism fellow for the summer of 2026.
