Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has endorsed Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for the U.S. Senate, marking Clinton’s first Senate endorsement of the 2026 midterm election cycle and bringing a nationally recognized Democratic figure into the contest.

Clinton announced her support on Bluesky, urging Minnesota voters to elect Flanagan to the Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.

“Minnesota, you have an opportunity to select an extraordinary person and public servant as your next U.S. senator. Please take it!” Clinton wrote.

Flanagan welcomed the endorsement, saying Clinton had spent decades fighting for working families and that she was honored to have her support.

The endorsement comes less than a month before the November 3 election, as Democrats seek to retain the seat and Republicans campaign to flip it. Fox News

Clinton Uses Endorsement to Criticize Trump

Alongside her support for Flanagan, Clinton criticized President Donald Trump’s economic and domestic policies, arguing that his administration has made everyday expenses more difficult for American families.

She pointed to childcare, groceries and healthcare costs, while blaming tariffs and the war in Iran for adding to price pressures. Clinton also attacked the administration’s budget priorities, accusing Trump of cutting healthcare and food assistance for children while providing tax benefits to wealthy Americans.

The comments place affordability at the center of Clinton’s endorsement, connecting Flanagan’s Senate campaign to a broader Democratic argument over household costs, federal spending and the administration’s economic policies.

The claims reflect Clinton’s criticism of Trump’s agenda. The overall effect of tariffs, military spending and federal budget changes on prices and household finances depends on the specific policies and economic conditions involved.

Who Is Peggy Flanagan?

Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, won the Democratic nomination in August after defeating U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in the party’s primary. She will face Republican nominee Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster, in the general election.

Flanagan has campaigned on supporting working families, strengthening public services and challenging the Trump administration’s policies. If elected, she would become Minnesota’s first Native American U.S. senator.

The seat is open because Sen. Tina Smith, a Democrat, decided not to seek reelection. The contest has drawn national attention as both parties compete for Senate seats in the midterms. The Washington Post

Could Clinton’s Endorsement Help or Hurt Flanagan?

Clinton’s endorsement gives Flanagan support from a prominent national Democrat and creates another opportunity to draw attention to her campaign. Clinton’s comments also amplify the campaign’s focus on affordability and criticism of Trump.

But an endorsement does not automatically translate into votes. Its effect depends on how Minnesota voters view Clinton, whether her support helps mobilize Democratic voters, and whether it changes the views of undecided or independent voters.

For some Democrats, Clinton’s backing may be a signal of support from an experienced national political figure. Other voters may be less influenced by a national endorsement and more focused on the candidates’ positions, records and plans for Minnesota.

The endorsement could therefore generate additional attention without necessarily changing the race’s underlying dynamics. Assessing its actual impact would require evidence such as changes in polling, fundraising, volunteer activity or voter engagement after the announcement.

A National Contest With Local Stakes

The Minnesota Senate race is part of the broader fight for control of Congress, but voters will also be weighing state-specific concerns and the two candidates’ individual records.

Clinton’s intervention links the contest to the national debate over Trump’s policies, while Flanagan’s response emphasizes her own priorities for working families.

With Election Day approaching, the key question is whether the endorsement helps Flanagan expand her coalition or primarily reinforces support she already has. The announcement itself does not settle that question; the campaign’s response from voters in the weeks ahead will offer a clearer indication of its significance.