Hillary Clinton issues endorsement in US midterm elections
Hillary Clinton Endorses Peggy Flanagan for Minnesota U.S. Senate Seat
October 8, 2026 – In a rare political move, former U.S. Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton publicly backed Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan for the open U.S. Senate seat vacated by incumbent Democrat Tina Smith. The endorsement was announced on the social‑media platform Bluesky on Thursday, with Clinton’s message prompting a flurry of reactions from state voters and national political commentators.
The Endorsement
Clinton posted a brief statement that read: “Minnesota, you have an opportunity to select an extraordinary person and public servant as your next U.S. senator. Please take it!” She shared a photo of Flanagan’s campaign sign and linked to the lieutenant governor’s own announcement. In Flanagan’s response, she thanked Clinton, saying, “I’m honored to have Secretary Clinton’s support, and I’ll proudly carry on her fight in the U.S. Senate.” The former first lady also noted that Flanagan has “spent five decades fighting for working families, dedicating her career to making the case that every child in this country deserves a fair shot.”
Flanagan, a Democrat who has served as lieutenant governor since 2023, highlighted her history of advocacy in the children’s welfare arena. She added, “Peggy Flanagan has spent her career fighting for children and families, from the Children’s Defense Fund to the Lieutenant Governor’s office, and she’s delivered for them. I know she’ll be that same champion in the Senate, and I’m proud to endorse her.”
Why the Endorsement Matters
The Senate race pits Flanagan against Republican state representative Michele Tafoya, who has been campaigning on a platform that includes cutting taxes and expanding defense spending. Flanagan’s endorsement arrives after the seat was left open when Senator Tina Smith announced she would not seek re‑election in 2026.
In her post, Clinton also criticized the Trump administration’s policies, stating, “Donald Trump has made it harder for families to afford childcare, groceries, and health care for their kids. His tariffs and war in Iran are driving up prices, and his budget ripped health care and food assistance away from children so billionaires could get another tax cut.” She added that her support for Flanagan is a continuation of her broader “fight for working families.”
The Candidates
Peggy Flanagan – Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, Democratic‑leaning, known for her work with the Children’s Defense Fund and her focus on child welfare and family services. She has served as lieutenant governor since 2023 and has a record of bipartisan collaboration on budget and infrastructure projects.
Michele Tafoya – State representative, Republican, who has built a political profile around fiscal conservatism and a strong defense policy. Her campaign has emphasized cutting taxes and reducing the federal regulatory burden.
Tina Smith – The incumbent Democratic senator, who announced in 2025 that she would not seek a third term in 2026, creating an open seat in a state that has voted for both parties in recent presidential elections.
National Reactions
The White House issued statements that were sharply divided. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers noted that the Trump administration had “signed the largest working‑class tax cuts in history” and had “dramatically cut the cost of prescription drugs.” She framed Clinton’s endorsement as a “political move by a former candidate who has not been active in recent campaigns.” White House spokesman Davis Ingle added that “President Trump is creating good‑paying jobs… and positioning our country to dominate the remainder of the 21st century,” while dismissing Clinton as “still whining about her spectacular 2016 election defeat.”
Meanwhile, local Minnesota media outlets reported that the endorsement was expected to galvanize the Democratic base in the state, especially among voters concerned with child welfare and public health. Some state officials expressed optimism that Clinton’s name recognition could help Flanagan in the primary, though the lieutenant governor’s campaign stressed that it would be her record, not her endorsement, that would win voters.
The Bigger Picture
Minnesota has a history of competitive Senate races. In 2018, the state elected a Republican senator, and in 2020, a Democrat took the seat again. The 2026 race is being watched closely by national parties as a potential bellwether for the 2028 presidential election.
Clinton’s endorsement is her first public support of a Senate candidate since the 2016 election, and it marks a new chapter in her post‑political career. Whether her voice will sway enough Minnesota voters to give Flanagan the advantage remains to be seen. As the campaign season progresses, both candidates are expected to intensify outreach, with Flanagan leveraging her background in child advocacy and Tafoya emphasizing fiscal conservatism.
For now, the state’s political landscape has a new element: the support of a former national political figure who has spent more than five decades in public service. Whether it proves decisive in the race for the U.S. Senate seat remains a question that the voters in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the rest of the state will answer at the polls on Election Day.