Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michele Tafoya pressed Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan over Minnesota’s fraud scandals during Friday’s MPR News debate, accusing her of failing to take responsibility for problems that occurred during the Walz-Flanagan administration.
The debate was the first and potentially last debate between the general election nominees in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race.
Moderator Brian Bakst asked Flanagan what ownership she takes over fraud that occurred during the administration after noting that she has described herself as working “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Gov. Tim Walz.
“The governor has been very clear that he, the buck stops with him. He was the one who had oversight here,” Flanagan responded. She instead claimed that she has led on issues like paid family and medical leave, a child tax credit, and school meals.
Throughout the debate, Flanagan repeatedly tied Tafoya to President Donald Trump, pointing to Trump’s endorsement of her campaign and arguing that Tafoya had aligned herself with him on issues including tariffs, the war in Iran, immigration, and healthcare.
“I am going to Washington to be an equal opportunity pain in the ass to any corrupt, career politician. I don’t care which side of the aisle they’re on or what office they hold,” Tafoya said. “Peggy, Donald Trump isn’t on the ballot. You and I are on the ballot, and only one of us let $9 billion walk out the door to fraud.”
“She was second in charge in this state,” Tafoya continued, arguing that Flanagan had previously emphasized her role in the administration but was now pinning blame solely on Walz.
WATCH: Michele Tafoya slams Peggy Flanagan for refusing to take accountability for fraud in Minnesota during their U.S. Senate debate.
“She was second in charge in this state … but suddenly she has nothing to do with this,” Tafoya said.
“Only one of us let $9 billion walk out… pic.twitter.com/TwW08BhTNy
— Alpha News (@AlphaNews) October 16, 2026
Earlier in the debate, Tafoya similarly attacked Flanagan while discussing Medicaid and SNAP.
“This historic fraud happened under her watch, and suddenly she’s looking out for Medicaid and SNAP? Sell it to someone else, Peggy,” Tafoya said.
Michele Tafoya to Peggy Flanagan: "This historic fraud happened under her watch and suddenly she's looking out for Medicaid and SNAP? Sell it to someone else, Peggy." pic.twitter.com/jlUm2eWmNF
— Alpha News (@AlphaNews) October 16, 2026
Flanagan said fraud is “completely unacceptable” and acknowledged that more should have been done sooner. She pointed to her support for an independent inspector general and harsher penalties before shifting to corruption allegations involving the Trump administration.
Tafoya also faced questions about her position on abortion.
Tafoya called herself a “pro-choice Republican” and said she supports what she described as reasonable access during the first three months of pregnancy. She said Minnesota’s law is settled and that she has “no desire” as a U.S. senator to change it.
When Bakst pressed her to define what she meant by “reasonable access,” Tafoya hesitated.
“Three months. I am a — you know what? Reasonable access is reasonable access,” Tafoya said. “In Minnesota, you’ve got access up to nine months.”
Flanagan argued that Tafoya’s position conflicted with statements she made to Republican delegates about being aligned with Trump on abortion and supporting conservative judicial nominees.
Tafoya responded by pointing to her abortion stance as an example of breaking with her own party.
“I have taken heat from my party over this issue. When has Peggy Flanagan disagreed with her party on anything?” Tafoya said. “When has she stood up to Tim Walz or the far-left flank of the Democrat Party on anything? I’d like her to name one thing.”
Flanagan answered by pointing to bipartisan work earlier in her career and said biofuels are one area where she is not “completely in line” with everyone in her party. She cited her support for year-round E15 and sustainable aviation fuel.
“Well talk about changing a stance. She has also said that she wants liquid fuels banned by the year, I think, 2040,” replied Tafoya, who emphasized throughout the debate that she has been endorsed by the Minnesota Farm Bureau.
Earlier in the debate, Tafoya also offered an example of breaking with Trump, opposing his diesel purchase agreement with Russia and saying the president “missed the mark.” She also said she would vote to end the Iran war if elected.
Near the end of the debate, Tafoya was asked whether she would appear alongside Trump if he came to Minnesota before Election Day.
She did not give a direct yes-or-no answer, instead saying she wanted support from voters across the political spectrum.
“Theirs is the only endorsement that I care about,” Tafoya said of Minnesota voters.
Flanagan was then asked whether she wanted to campaign with Walz in the closing weeks. She also did not directly commit, saying the campaign was “about Peggy Flanagan” and highlighting her statewide campaign schedule.
Symone Harms
Symone Harms is a Media Production and Business Marketing student at Bethel University. She is actively involved in The Royals Investment Fund, The 25, theatre, and other leadership positions. She also cohosts Rooted, a podcast dedicated to being rooted in truth, growing in freedom, and prospering in life. A Minnesota native with a passion for storytelling and digital media, she aspires to a career in broadcasting as a news anchor and reporter.
