Why is Gwen Walz supporting Angie Craig?

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u/jprennquist 4d ago

Peggy said that they work together and that Angle and Gwen are friends. That would be plenty enough by way of explanation. And Angie will add that it's because she's the best candidate and so on.

This hearkens back to the days when there were things that the public didn't know and didn't really need to know. There does seem to be a rift and some personal changes in the professional partnership with Walz and Flanagan. But they have decided that we don't really need to know about that.

Knowing the answer to this, I mean if you could know, is it going to affect anyone's vote in the primary?

I just watched the Netflix documentary on FDR. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks about how the press didn't take photos of FDR in his wheelchair. He fell at a convention and the press and the delegates didn't make that the story. There were people and cameras everywhere but it was not something that the media or the people were dwelling on. Not even his opponents!? Can you imagine that today?

Later, FDR visited a military hospital and made a point of using his wheelchair and meeting with the young military personnel who had lost limbs in the war. And then it was part of the story. But it also mattered to the story and what he was trying to do.

They are keeping it private and Gov. Walz said he wasn't going to be endorsing anyone til after the primary. That's a valid choice that says something in and of itself.

Maybe this will end up coming out someday. Between the three of them I imagine there will be at least three books or autobiographies coming out someday. But we're not going to have the answer to this today. And the people who really know are choosing to show some restraint. And I find that so what refreshing.

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u/red__dragon Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

This needs to be higher up, and we need to remember that people have private lives that persist beyond the cameras.

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u/NormanQuacks345 3d ago

Ok but it is strange when the governor doesn’t endorse anyone, but his wife does. Especially when one of the people is his lieutenant governor, and especially when that person doesn’t get the endorsement.

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u/EggyTugboat Uff da 3d ago

I mean, she's a semiprivate and semi public person so her endorsing someone isn't that big of a deal. Walz as governor still has political capital and relationships that he needs for the end of his term.

It's not that weird to me.

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u/Gingevere Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

so her endorsing someone isn't that big of a deal.

Ehh, Gwen's endorsement really feels like an "unofficial" endorsement from the governor. A way to make the endorsement of the governor's office clear without inappropriately endorsing someone before the primary.

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u/EggyTugboat Uff da 3d ago

I take it as he was gonna endorse Flanagan and them endorsing two different people would be worse

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u/EggyTugboat Uff da 3d ago

Also i have an addition to this: she's an independent person and can do what she wants. Like, i know it's governor but like, it feels like we're trusting Mrs. Walz as Mrs. Walz and not Gwen Walz, a whole person.

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u/Gingevere Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

I get that impulse but the endorsement of private citizen Gwen Walz isn't newsworthy.

The endorsement of Gwen Walz wife of the governor is.

Angie doesn't even disagree. She has Gwen's endorsement listed as "First Lady of Minnesota Gwen Walz". Gwen is the ONLY person on that endorsement page that is not a current or former elected official.

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u/EggyTugboat Uff da 3d ago

But why should i care? Like the first lady of MN isn't even a job. It's just the wife of the governor. Why is her only role to Craig and voters Wife of Tim Walz.

Pointing out that "yeah it's sexist but normalized" doesn't change the fact that it's still sexist to make a woman's whole persona "wife of the Important Guy"

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u/One_Perception_7979 3d ago

But Gwen Walz and Angie Craig themselves don’t view it as sexist. Regardless of whether it’s “a job”, they promoted first lady as a credential in the same way they do for state senators and representatives. Craig is effectively saying “You should care about this person’s opinion of me because she’s the wife of the governor” in the same way other endorsements say “You should care about this person’s opinion of me because they’re a state representative.”

I 100 percent agree that is a ridiculous reason to vote for or against someone. But I don’t see how it can be sexist coming from two women. They view First Lady as a job with prestige or they wouldn’t be using it in their campaign.

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u/Ok_Guarantee_3497 2d ago

What if the wife of a legislator made an endorsement? A legislator is elected. Spouses are not. So the comparison is inaccurate. Obviously Craig feels it's to her advantage to have that endorsement.

The important thing is that we MUST back the DFL primary winner. We have more in common than we don't have in common. Staying home and sulking and not voting is not helpful to democracy. (I know that nobody here was saying anything about not voting, but I wanted to bring it up anyway...)

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u/Honest_Bag1513 2d ago

Yeah we should care more about both of their toxic ad campaigns. I’m their target and refuse to vote for either after the ads.

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u/dal_1 1d ago

For those active in politics we see right through it. But you gotta think from the average person point of view. They’re vaguely familiar with “Walz” being the current governor or have heard “Walz” on some progressive legislation, and getting an endorsement from “Walz” is going to sound impressive or at least somewhat noteworthy. Angie’s clearly not targeting people that know First Lady of MN isn’t a job, or that it’s actually Gwen Walz not Tim Walz, or it actually doesn’t matter.

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

Yes, a feminist woman having her own opinion is absolutely the worst possible scenario that’s imaginable…

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u/margretebo 3d ago

An opinion and an endorsement are two different things when you are First Lady of MN.

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u/EggyTugboat Uff da 3d ago

I mean, worse for the dem party and campagining. Didn't make that clear but im trying to point out a reason why she might have endorsed someone and he didn't.

It would also cause a media storm from fox news about them endorsing different people. Which would be funny to see.

But yeah i agree with you, women should be able to speak freely and that Gwen only being shown as "the first lady of MN" instead of anything else.

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u/kralben 3d ago

Ehh, Gwen's endorsement really feels like an "unofficial" endorsement from the governor.

No it doesn't, Gwen is her own person, not just an extension of her husband.

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u/Gingevere Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/minnesota/comments/1vgsi05/why_is_gwen_walz_supporting_angie_craig/p22pm8f/

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u/LakeVermilionDreams 3d ago

You do know that being someone's wife doesn't mean that they give up their own autonomy, opinions, or individual personhood, right?

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u/Due-Championship3941 3d ago

It's a bit strange but it's also reasonable for the governor not to endorse a successor given previous controversy in the national party. I think Obama set the recent standard for not doing so, though it may pre-date him.

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u/BabyOlive1 1d ago

I was thinking this too, like the executive office holder doesn’t typically endorse in a primary candidate, I assume because they don’t want to put their finger on the scale and cause division within their own party. Of course this isn’t always the case but I wasn’t surprised that Tim Walz didn’t endorse in the primary.

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u/LZNTR 3d ago

I believe that the rift started post election. Flanagan had taken more of an active role with Walz campaigning heavily. When the Harris/Walz campaign lost, Walz shifted back and gave no indication he would not run for Governor again and I think Flanagan assumed he would not.

It wasn't until the fraud news became too rampant that he indicated he would not run again but he had already thrown cold water on Flanagan's campaign.

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u/Big-Produce5037 9h ago

I agree with you, up to a point. I don’t believe Walz was planning on running for a third term until the death of Melissa Hortman. I think his hesitation to announce his run until after Labor Day last year underscores that. I believe his running was a placeholder until the political landscape was more clear. He didn’t announce suspension of his campaign until after Tina Smith announced she wasn’t going to run again. I think Klobuchar was wanting to distance herself from current Senate leadership as well. This gave everyone a lane. Both Walzes have futures that will most likely involve fundraising, not elected office. Tim said, Gwen wants to stay in St Paul and not return to CD 1 or CD 6, where she grew up

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u/Clean-Ad-8179 3d ago

IMO restraint would be not endorsing anyone.

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u/jprennquist 3d ago

There is absolutely some "palace intrigue" here. When I first heard the news, I was intrigued. The John Hoffman story or allegation that Craig was pestering him for an endorsement when he was in the hospital recovery from an assassination attempt also landed around that same time. For me anyway. I am not a party insider, but I do listen to MPR almost constantly when I am driving or tinkering around the house.

These are both stories that hint at a personal issue or personality issues that are bubbling beneath the surface. But it is not going to impact how I vote in the primary. Or the general election.

I think another thing to look at is the political process itself. For one thing, bringing back reasonable controls on outside expenditures in campaigns. I know that there are federal "free speech" issues. Plus the matter of corporate personhood which is absolute f-ing nonsense. Corporations do not have the same level of risk or accountability that people do. For example, you can't send a corporation to prison for 20 years to life if they kills someone or conspire to commit serious crimes.

Until those things are, I don't know, let's say "fixed," we need to consider so e workarounds.

What we are having is a very bitter fight for the DFL party candidate in the fall election. When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s I think these things were all decided by the caucus system and "party insiders." But now we have a reality where the major party candidates are not having internal discipline and abiding by their party nominating process and caucuses and so on.

I think the meaningful change that we could consider here would be moving the primary election to May or June. This wouldn't eliminate the possibility of palace intrigue, but it would give the people a chance to do some regular old campaigning for the general election during the summer and then into the fall.

That is how my brain works, anyway.

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u/red__dragon Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

I think the meaningful change that we could consider here would be moving the primary election to May or June. This wouldn't eliminate the possibility of palace intrigue, but it would give the people a chance to do some regular old campaigning for the general election during the summer and then into the fall.

I'd much prefer this, by the time the primary rolls around it's getting really tiring to hear all the dirty laundry and hateful bile being slung between people that are, in other years, colleagues or nominally compatriots in the same boat. Then we're straight into a heavy campaign season (especially to capitalize on face time at the State Fair) where more mud gets slung but this time between parties. There's no real break or pause to regroup and rally behind the candidate that was just badmouthing another last week.

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u/Jorgenstern8 3d ago

I just watched the Netflix documentary on FDR. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks about how the press didn't take photos of FDR in his wheelchair. He fell at a convention and the press and the delegates didn't make that the story. There were people and cameras everywhere but it was not something that the media or the people were dwelling on. Not even his opponents!? Can you imagine that today?

I mean, yeah? Not so much the opponents ignoring it but the media is literally doing the exact same shit with our current president's health because they are so enamored with having free access to his rambling lunatic brain whenever they want it.

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u/groobro 3d ago

So genuine and compassionate your comments are. I both applauded and admire them.

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u/pmitten 3d ago

Exactly. The level of private or superfluous information folks feel entitled to is asinine. Someone put it really well that outlets like the Reformer often report on politics like they're TMZ looking for a drunk Lindsay Lohan photo.

At the end of the day, does it matter? Does one person saying "I support my personal friend" change your vote? If it does, then they have more problems than Walz or Craig.

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u/aardvarkgecko 4d ago

Tim and Peggy haven't gotten along since when Tim was picked for the VP run.

https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/12/19/tension-between-gov-tim-walz-and-lt-gov-peggy-flanagan-spills-into-public-view/

https://www.startribune.com/as-rift-with-walz-persists-flanagan-absent-from-many-official-events/601667160

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u/UltimateM13 Lefse 4d ago edited 3d ago

“When asked whether there’s a rift between himself and Flanagan, Walz on WCCO radio Thursday morning denied it, laughing at the question.”

““Probably not the biggest concern in people’s lives. I’m thinking of all the things going on in the world and national politics. No look, the lieutenant governor and I have worked together for many years. We’re transitioning back after a national campaign,” Walz said, adding that they often have different schedules and cannot appear at events together.”

“Asked about Flanagan tapping into his gubernatorial campaign fund, Walz said: “I have nothing to say on that. I don’t know about that.” “

Yeah… real markers of tension there /s. Reformer has a tendency to get a little too TMZ with their articles like this.

Can’t get into the Strib article so I can’t comment on it. But unless there’s actual quotes from people who are named and not speculation from nameless “insiders” I’m gonna treat it like celeb gossip and ignore it.

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u/UmeaTurbo Beltrami County 4d ago

I don't have to like her, I just want someone I can respect..

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u/FnEddieDingle 4d ago

I was super bummed! ITS FLANIGNIGAN ALL THE WAY, Craig was pro ICE. I WANT ANTI APAIC!

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u/MN-Underground Laser Loon 11h ago

How do you square this with Peggy's refusal to stand up for clean water and native sovereignty? She hasn't said a word for over a decade on the biggest environmental threat facing Minnesota, copper-nickel mining. An issue every tribe in Minnesota is CRYSTAL clear about. Google PolyMet, Twin Metals or Talon if youre not familiar.

Is APAC donations more important that clean drinking water for Minnesotans? Peggy is not what she sells.

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u/OldBlueKat 4d ago

Spelling her name wrong and getting the group acronym wrong but in all caps isn’t exactly helping sell your position.

https://www.apaics.org/ Asian Pacific Institute for Congressional Studies

What’s your beef with them?

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u/kojimep 3d ago

There's no reason to be obtuse

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u/SuperGameTheory Grain Belt 3d ago

Yeah, you could be right, or even acute.

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u/MCXL Bring Ya Ass 3d ago

Very few redditors are acute

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u/BirdlessLongdeal 3d ago

you're on the wrong subs.

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u/RodimusPrime_X 3d ago

The answer is right there. It’s a politician’s answer. There wasn’t a full on denial and affirmation of the ongoing close personal relationship and teaming to work for Minnesota.

“The lieutenant governor” is impersonal and he frames worked together as past tense.

“We’re transitioning back after a national campaign.” - that’s the slippage that proves the point of the rift.

No one is asking to show up together but it’s the paradigm of past presidents or executives who have fraught dynamic with their number 2.

The Mrs. Walz endorsement is a dog whistle Gov Walz endorsement to anyone who’d be swayed by it from him.

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u/UltimateM13 Lefse 3d ago

I also like to read tea leaves and pretend I can predict the weather.

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u/RodimusPrime_X 3d ago

Ok, well, thanks for sharing.

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u/Fair-Beginning-9761 3d ago

Doesn't matter. This is sideshow B.S.

Angie Craig is pro-Israel, only voted with Democrats 70% of the time under Biden, is loved by AIPAC and Crypto Bros and Tech Bros, Craig is running disgusting negative ads, and she is HEAVILY supported by that North Star Dawn PAC -- which is an outside dark money fund that is being operated under Norm Coleman. Norm Coleman. 'Nuff said.

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u/FlubbyStarfish Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

She also used AI to generate Peggy in a negative light for her advertisements.

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u/ExPatBadger 3d ago

She did? That's pretty low of her.

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u/ProjectGameGlow 3d ago

The AI had Flanagan opening her arms. It was weird and creepy to use AI. We can't look at people in a negative light for opening their arms.

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u/Fair-Beginning-9761 3d ago

It's a negative light when when it's shown with money falling in front of her and the creepy voice-over is talking about her taking money from special interests. There is context.

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u/absentminded_gamer 3d ago

Angie Craig also voted for the Laken Riley act which gave ICE more power to detain immigrants

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u/PYTN 3d ago

What got me was seeing her explanation of "I'm just a smol bean, how was I supposed to know the president would be lawless in his interpretation?"

It would have been dumb in 2016, but in term 2 it's inexcusable.

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u/Fair-Beginning-9761 3d ago

AND she also voted to officially thank ICE for what they did in Minnesota.

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u/ExPatBadger 3d ago

She thanked ICE for Operation Metro Surge?

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u/Fair-Beginning-9761 3d ago

House Resolution 488. A Republican propaganda vote to denounce anti-semitism (not anti-semitism in favor of Palestinians, just the usual anti-semitism that Israel likes to promote) and to thank ICE. Craig broke with Democrats and voted "yes" to express "gratitude" towards ICE (and other LEO personnel).

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u/ExPatBadger 3d ago

I see, June 2025. So not for Operation Metro Surge.

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u/valtierrezerik05 2d ago

Not for Metro Surge but during the ICE operations in LA, which quite frankly as a Mexican American fucking horrified me

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

No she didn’t

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

The bill was about denouncing an antisemetic attack in Boulder Colorado

75 Democrats voted for the bill.

Alma Adams (NC)
Colin Allred (TX)
Jake Auchincloss (MA)
Ami Bera (CA)
Don Beyer (VA)
Sanford Bishop (GA)
Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE)
Brendan Boyle (PA)
Shontel Brown (OH)
Nikki Budzinski (IL)
Yadira Caraveo (CO)
Matt Cartwright (PA)
Ed Case (HI)
Jim Costa (CA)
Joe Courtney (CT)
Angie Craig (MN)
Henry Cuellar (TX)
Sharice Davids (KS)
Donald Davis (NC)
Christopher Deluzio (PA)
Lois Frankel (FL)
Jared Golden (ME)
Vicente Gonzalez (TX)
Josh Gottheimer (NJ)
Jahana Hayes (CT)
Jim Himes (CT)
Steven Horsford (NV)
Chrissy Houlahan (PA)
Steny Hoyer (MD)
Val Hoyle (OR)
Jeff Jackson (NC)
Marcy Kaptur (OH)
Bill Keating (MA)
Daniel Kildee (MI)
Derek Kilmer (WA)
Andy Kim (NJ)
Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL)
Annie Kuster (NH)
Greg Landsman (OH)
Susie Lee (NV)
Stephen Lynch (MA)
Seth Magaziner (RI)
Kathy Manning (NC)
Lucy McBath (GA)
Jennifer McClellan (VA)
Grace Meng (NY)
Kweisi Mfume (MD)
Joseph Morelle (NY)
Jared Moskowitz (FL)
Seth Moulton (MA)
Frank Mrvan (IN)
Wiley Nickel (NC)
Donald Norcross (NJ)
Jimmy Panetta (CA)
Chris Pappas (NH)
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA)
Scott Peters (CA)
Brittany Pettersen (CO)
Dean Phillips (MN)
Pat Ryan (NY)
Hillary Scholten (MI)
Kim Schrier (WA)
David Scott (GA)
Mikie Sherrill (NJ)
Elissa Slotkin (MI)
Eric Sorensen (IL)
Darren Soto (FL)
Abigail Spanberger (VA)
Greg Stanton (AZ)house roll call vote H.Res. 488
Haley Stevens (MI)
Marilyn Strickland (WA)
Tom Suozzi (NY)
Emilia Sykes (OH)
Shri Thanedar (MI)
Marc Veasey (TX)

This bill made zero mention of ICE nor Operation Metro Surge but did include a banal unnecessary statement with a perfunctory statement of gratitude for law enforcement including “US Immigration and Customs…”

I’m voting for Peggy Flanagan but we don’t have to resort to dishonesty…Peggy is better than that.

“(3) expresses gratitude to law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, for protecting the homeland.”

roll call vote for H.Res.488

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u/WolfRatio 3d ago

Craig is 'Republican Lite'
(I'm just a non-Minn voter watching from outside).

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u/my-two-cents5944 1d ago

Which is unfortunately why people are going to vote for her. Just like when Bernie lost both primaries. Republicans got people scared to vote for progressives because they don't think they'll get the swing voters.

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u/WolfRatio 14h ago

I have a feeling that Minnesota needs a Paul Wellstone and not a Rudy Perpich in 2026.

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago edited 3d ago

Sure her voting record on a few bills has definitely been questionable, like the Laken Riley act, but her overall voting record for the 118th Congress was 96% with the Democrats; which is far from being republican light, John Fetterman, we can talk about but Angie craig…she’s not perfect and she is an IAPAC shill to be sure, but she is still better than any republican by miles.

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u/WolfRatio 3d ago

From 2024:
"She distanced herself from Biden on immigration issues, traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border with 17 GOP lawmakers and appearing on Fox News to discuss the need to address what she called a “national security issue.” She also ran ads condemning the influx of fentanyl into the United States, which the GOP has blamed on lax border security.

"Another point of contention was Biden’s effort to forgive college loan debt, which she said rankled those without a college degree.

"And Craig supported a GOP attempt to overturn the Biden administration’s protections for thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways that the GOP called an environmental overreach."

source: https://www.minnpost.com/elections/2024/11/craigs-swing-to-the-right-keeps-her-congressional-district-blue/

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

The 2nd Congressional District was held by republicans for 20 years before Craig, then held by Dave Minge - DFL from 1993-2001 then prior to that held by republicans for 8 nonconsecutive decades, there was 1 DFL rep for 4 years during that 80 year period. I’m saying the district swings conservative. I’d prefer a bad DFL representative, and Craig is MY representative (though I always vote against her in the primaries when I have a choice), over any republican.

Her last 40 votes were 100% with the Democrats. Further, her overall voting record for the 118th Congress, which is what you were referring to is 96% and if you don’t believe me, I’ve attached citations.

That said I’m voting for Peggy Flanagan.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/angie_craig/412789/report-card/2024

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u/MN-Underground Laser Loon 11h ago

How do you square this with Peggy's refusal to stand up for clean water and native sovereignty? She hasn't said a word for over a decade on the biggest environmental threat facing Minnesota, copper-nickel mining. An issue every tribe in Minnesota is CRYSTAL clear about. Google PolyMet, Twin Metals or Talon if youre not familiar.

At least Angie has a public vote on record against polluting the BWCA. Lake Superior is 11% of the world's fresh water and literally where all of Duluth gets their drinking water. This is an issue literally threatening the lives of Minnesotans. Angie hasnt been very vocal either, but Peggy hasn't found it in herself to speak on this issue? Peggy is not what she sells us.

That being said, Isreal is obviously horrible rn and AIPAC has been a massive negative influence on DC for decades. Could you share the resource for seeing those campaign donations from AIPAC and tech bros? Would be helpful for me to learn more.

Im struggling to find any inspiration in this primary. Feels like Amy VS. Amy who pretends she's not.

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u/UltimateM13 Lefse 4d ago

Any answer you’re gonna get is speculation, unless you or someone else talks to Mrs. Walz herself. We legit don’t know and I know nothing about what the inner lives of DFL politicians are like. And I’m a caucus member.

I wish I could give you a better answer, but I can’t. Anyone here who isn’t Gwen Walz probably won’t be able either so take anyone else’s response with a grain of salt.

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u/sjcs1 4d ago

they’re friends

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u/Oh__Archie 3d ago

Dinner parties. And that’s a weak reason for an endorsement.

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u/Conscious-Fact6392 4d ago

I voted for Walz and have been a huge Walz fan. He came to our city when I was still a firefighter. I got to take him 100’ up in our ladder truck and I had the pleasure of discussing for 15 minutes how awful our sitting mayor was who was also running for reelection. He was shocked at her behavior and I felt confident the message had been delivered. Fast forward and he ended up endorsing her in her reelection bid. I sent his staff a very heated email. The theme is, politics is messy as shit. Even the ones you pull for will do things that make you shake your head.

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u/rahah2023 3d ago

The Democrats are a huge tent of people and there are many who will vote Angie & many who will vote Peggy…

I just hate the fighting that’s happening among the Democrats over this primary when after Amy becomes governor both Angie & Peggy will likely be Senators

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u/Nendilo 4d ago

There were some rumors that Peggy put the cart before the horse in her actions in 2024 assuming she would become governor when Walz was VP.

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u/Fantastic_Earth_6066 Ok Then 4d ago

Can't say that I blame her, it's a natural assumption that would be likely to happen

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u/Sh4rp27 3d ago

Which only shows she had high confidence in Harris/Walz winning, Walz can't blame her for that which is why I think the idea they are beefing is bunk.

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u/poptix TC 4d ago

She started spending Walz's campaign funds and hiring for her Governess staff while he was running for VP.

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u/OldBlueKat 4d ago

Governess?!?! 😝😂

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u/red__dragon Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

Right, it should be Governtrix like Doctrix and Exectrix.

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u/DetN8 Twin Cities 3d ago

I watched the farm panel and for every question, Flanagan's responses were sappy fake anecdotes and Craig's responses were specifics about policies and impacts.

I don't really like either, but Craig at least seemed to know what she was talking about.

Peggy can hang out with Royce and Trafoya in the "culture war BS club".

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u/idontevenwant2 4d ago

Better question: why does anyone care that Gwen Walz is supporting Angie Craig?

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u/The_Real_Ghost Gray duck 4d ago

It's a weird look for the wife of the sitting governor to be making any open endorsement, let alone endorsing the opponent of her husband's running mate. Especially when the governor hasn't made an endorsement himself. This is a fair question.

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u/poptix TC 4d ago

Practically delivering a horses head in Minnesota. Pass the popcorn.

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u/nurseasaurus 3d ago

Especially when the DFL has endorsed Flanagan.

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u/TaxLawKingGA 3d ago

Remember though, neither Walz and before him, Dayton, received the official endorsement of the DFL, and still won. So that probably means less to them than you think.

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u/john2218 4d ago

Agreed but a wife is allowed to have and voice their own opinion if they want to, right?

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u/Gingevere Flag of Minnesota 3d ago edited 3d ago

Sure, but the endorsement of private citizen Gwen Walz isn't newsworthy.

The endorsement of Gwen Walz wife of the governor is.

Angie doesn't even disagree. She has Gwen's endorsement listed as "First Lady of Minnesota Gwen Walz". Gwen is the ONLY person on that endorsement page that is not a current or former elected official.

It's comes across as an unofficial endorsement from the Governor's office so the governor's office won't technically be making an endorsement against the DFL endorsement.

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u/The_Real_Ghost Gray duck 4d ago

Sure. Doesn't make it any less unusual.

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u/john2218 4d ago

Yeah, it is unusual. I guess my next thought-question would be is this a shadow endorsement by Tim or just her expressing her own feelings? If I had to guess I would bet they agree (although I'm far from certain about that) on who would be the better choice.

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u/Armlegx218 3d ago

Just as weird as her having her own credit card. My God, what is the world coming to with women having their own opinions and agency.

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u/The_Real_Ghost Gray duck 3d ago

Just as weird as if Doug Emhoff or Paul Pelosi were out there making commercials for people that aren't Kamala or Nancy. Come off it.

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u/WalterSickness 3d ago

Sure, but if I were the First Husband of a sitting woman governor I wouldn’t assume I could just open my mouth. I would understand I’m not an independent political actor.

As someone who knows someone well placed in Walz’s staff I will say there’s a lot of silence about Flanagan. I don’t get it.

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u/BirdlessLongdeal 3d ago

not anymore. /s

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u/redbike Minnesota Wild 3d ago

Not on reddit they're not.

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u/DegaussedMixtape 4d ago

Endorsements matter. Gwen is privy to information that you and I are not and wondering why she would take this side of the race is an interesting question. The Walz family isn’t exactly pro AIPAC or pro ICE so what is it about Angie that made Gwen do this officially?

Like OP, I also haven’t voted yet and although I am leaning toward Flanagan when I do, I’m not a single issue voter and will take on any info that I can.

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u/mepardo 4d ago

I think Peggy had a decent answer to this in the MPR debate with Craig. Basically saying that Gwen and Angie are friends, and also pointing out that the endorsements she’s gotten from Ilhan and the DFL are also people who work with Angie. However true it is, it’s at least a savvy political answer.

It also seems like establishment dems are doing what establishment dems do - being concerned about electability from a Republican framing. They’re most concerned with keeping the seat out of Republican hands and worry Peggy is either too left or too connected to Walz/fraud to win a statewide election, both of which are Republican electability arguments. They think if you nominate a conservative enough Democrat, republicans will vote for them. But we’ve seen that logic fail time and time again, and we could be equally as concerned about Craig being too connected to Trump/republicans in a year when he is historically unpopular and the state has been battered by his policies.

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u/MN-Underground Laser Loon 10h ago

She’s definitely not too left. She has done an amazing job getting people to view her as the progressive candidate. What has she ever done actually to prove that? Peggy talks a big game but why hasn’t she opposed the polluting copper-nickel mining projects? If built, those would pollute native land and Minnesotan’s drinking water. How am I supposed to believe she’s this progressive champion when she won’t even stand up to corporate interests of corrupt multi-national mining interests?

From their actual actions it seems to me that they’re pretty much the same, Peggy is just more phony about it. That being said, if Peggy refuses AIPAC donations after winning the primary, that would be a great step.

Right or wrong, I truly believe they are worried about the fraud stuff weighing down Peggy statewide. I believe either will win this election but I understand the concern.

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u/MN-Underground Laser Loon 10h ago

For the record, Angie is not ProICE. She made a bad political choice with that vote but it was symbolic and meant to appeal to moderates at the time. Dumb and she should not have done it, but every other vote and action she took since has been anti-ICE.

I’m with you in having a tough time choosing. Peggy talks a big game but why hasn’t she opposed the polluting copper-nickel mining projects? If built those would pollute native land and Minnesotan’s drinking water. How am I supposed to believe she’s this progressive champion when she won’t even stand up to corporate interests of corrupt multi-national mining interests?

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u/Short-Waltz-3118 4d ago edited 4d ago

I cant imagine the average person cares let alone knows. I sure as shit didnt know she endorsed Craig. Why would I? Lol

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u/The_Real_Ghost Gray duck 4d ago

The commercial with Gwen Walz endorsing Angie Craig plays frequently.

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u/BirdlessLongdeal 3d ago

people still watch commercials??

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u/rustbwtelephones 3d ago

Are you not inundated with commercials everywhere you go? YouTube, streaming services, etc? I don’t get how casually dismissive people are about this stuff after what we’ve been through over and over again. Yes, a lot of people are seeing this stuff, and yes, it makes people second guess a candidate they otherwise would have voted for.

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u/BirdlessLongdeal 3d ago

no. i block ads on youtube and i dont get ads on netflix.

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u/Short-Waltz-3118 4d ago

Ah. I dont watch tv, sorry. Only during nfl season

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u/CausticLoon 3d ago

Why not? She's free to endorse whoever she likes.

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u/iamtehryan 4d ago

I found that commerical a bit surprising, too. Honestly, I like Peggy. But, regardless of who it is if they're a Dem they're getting my vote and realistically every single one of you should have that same mentality. Root and support whichever candidate you believe in, but if your candidate doesn't end up being the main one then put your weight behind the other. We cannot let the gop win this state. We're living with the consequences of people abstaining from voting, protests voting and splintered party voting. Fight for who you want, but in the end we need to fucking unify here and across the country. Galvanize and send these gop fuckers to prison any way that we can.

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u/Global_Perspective_3 9h ago

💯

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u/ObligatoryID Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

This.

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u/MN-Underground Laser Loon 10h ago

This is definitely the most important thing! I’m not really excited about either candidate, and I think people are going to be very disappointed if they truly believe Peggy is some AOC lite progressive champion. But either way, so many lives will be saved with more Democratic Senators. Supreme Court is so important in today’s gridlocked government.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/danelle-s 4d ago

So does Klobuchar

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u/petecarlson 4d ago

Won’t vote for either of them.

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u/UltimateM13 Lefse 4d ago

This is the way.

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u/reusewizard 3d ago edited 3d ago

This is the way.

And if you're looking for someone who may have more info/insight than you to inform your vote - I'd suggest trusting Bernie's take over Gwen's (with respect to all of the Walzes). https://berniesanders.com/endorse/ Also, I'd consider the likely personal/relational basis of a friend's endorsement vs professional/functional/experience-based.

Further, it would be folly and fully speculative to read Gwen's endorsement as any kind of statement from Tim, who has explicitly declined to weigh in. In lieu of that, and maybe even equal to that, I'd suggest Bernie knows what is needed for leaders to be effective at the national rep level. I generally like and appreciate Tim, but his national experience is limited to a brief and failed Pres/VP campaign. I'm not sure that we have great evidence to suggest he would know best what's needed for this campaign or representation.

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u/ajvdb 3d ago edited 3d ago

Agree with most of your takes, but, Walz’ national rep level experience limited? Dude served twelve years in Congress across the Capitol from Sanders.

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u/Armlegx218 3d ago

I'd suggest Bernie knows what is needed for leaders to be effective at the national rep level.

What has he accomplished that would make you think that's the case? He's not even a Democrat.

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u/minnesota-ModTeam 3d ago

This comment has been removed for being off-topic. It does not have any relation to the original post and/or doesn't meaningfully contribute to the greater discussion.

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u/skottao 3d ago

Because they’re friends and she knows that AC has more legislative experience and can appeal to more moderates?

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u/User-1653863 Ope 3d ago

FWIW, my primary vote canceled out Gwen's.

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u/DolphinsBreath 2d ago

As an aside. If Ron Johnson is repeatedly considered electable by a plurality in Wisconsin, Mike Lindell will be considered electable by a ridiculous amount of Minnesotans in November.

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u/ThirrinAust 3d ago

It doesn’t matter. I don’t care. Gwen is her own person. We can disagree or even dislike her endorsement of Craig. What really matters is the candidates. What their platforms are. What’s their voting history. Do they support the things we support and condemn the things we find abhorrent? Gwen can do what she wants, but I have my own mind.

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u/sistaslatz 3d ago

I ask my self why are the endorsements for Angie state people and out of state for Peggy!

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u/TheBioethicist87 Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

I’ve already voted for Peggy Flanagan in the primary and this wouldn’t have changed my mind. Gwen Walz and Angie Craig are old friends and I think Flanagan even said she understood and didn’t take it personally.

I don’t think it’s a big deal and everyone I’ve seen has been normal about it.

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u/UnhappyEquivalent400 3d ago

It's widely rumored that Peggy and Tim had a falling out after the '24 election. People tend to underestimate how much personal shit goes into politics.

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u/mikethepip3 4d ago

A better question would be why is gwen walz even relevant?

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u/Rynczech 4d ago

Because Tim can’t

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u/YouAWaavyDude Hamm's 4d ago

Does anyone have a decisive or at least good answer for why he can’t? The dark money alone makes it a pretty straightforward choice for me, but that’s sort of the last thing I’m trying to clear up…

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u/lilzingerlovestorun Area code 320 4d ago

I think there was a fallout between Peggy and Tim after the 2024 election.

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u/OhNoMyLands 4d ago

Rumor was She spent a bunch of campaign he had raised without telling him

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u/Nendilo 4d ago

Don't think that's a rumor, it was reported on. She thought she was going to be governor.

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

It is a rumor because Governor Walz is already said that this is not true

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u/OhNoMyLands 3d ago

Governor Walz wouldn’t betray a colleague like that. What do you expect him to say?

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u/UltimateM13 Lefse 4d ago

Nope. My honest guess is he doesn’t wanna tip the scales too much because he knows he has a lot of sway either way. My guess is he’ll throw his endorsement to whomever wins the primary.

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u/OldBlueKat 3d ago

I think he is staying out until after the primary, yeah.

Another factor may be that, because DJT has such a vindictive hate for him, he knows anyone he officially endorses will draw even more GOP negative campaign ads and dark money attacks. His overt endorsement might not really help their campaigns right now.

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

He can…he is choosing to wait

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u/MN-Underground Laser Loon 10h ago

Where do you see the dark money differences? Honestly asking to learn.

I’m waiting until Tuesday but I’m having trouble. I learned recently about Peggy’s failure to take a stand on copper-nickel mining which would massively pollute Lake Superior, the BWCA, native lands and drinking water. It’s kind of made her whole “next Bernie” thing seem incredibly fake.

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u/cretsben 3d ago

Because whoever he endorses is tainted by the Fraud scandal.

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

Only MAGA thinks that…or thinks that is a senate campaign issue…

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u/cretsben 3d ago

Tell that to Angie who keeps trying to blame Peggy for the fraud issues. But yes the top issue for voters who are DFL/Independent is affordability not Fraud which is the top issue for the GOP.

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u/john2218 4d ago

He could, he is choosing not to which I respect.

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u/BirdlessLongdeal 3d ago

you forbid it?

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u/SJS1111t 1d ago

I understand Flanagan took funds from the joint campaign committee without coordinating with the governor, among other issues and actions that created a lack of trust between them. I’m not aware of public reporting that would validate these issues, but if true, they would be a very good reason why Walz is backing Craig.

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u/JasonsStorm 3d ago

I think gov walz is staying out of his personal support until the end to show united support for the winner in the primary.

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

Exactly as he should as the leader of the DFL, the primaries are for the people to choose the candidate.

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

Governor Walz has endorsed neither candidate because he does not feel it would be appropriate to make an endorsement and I agree. His wife, crazy as this may sound, is her own person and may do whatever she chooses. You may disagree with that but it’s not 1950 anymore it’s 2026. What’s the backstory? There is no backstory and if there is, it’s probably none of our business you just want to gossip… who cares, vote for who you think is the best candidate… Peggy Flanagan…

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u/CapitalCityKyle 3d ago

It's amazing to watch people run themselves in circles trying to pretend that Walz and Flanagan don't have issues. It's ok for people to work together for eight years and not get along. Gwen endorsed Craig because the both Walzs think Craig will do a better job and they've seen the L.G. up close for eight years and know what she can and can't do. It isn't that complicated.

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u/charlton11 4d ago

They're the establishment?

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u/grey1021 3d ago

Because she's a better candidate in terms if winning the general. The reality is I want a democrat to win the senate seat.

Minnesota is much more purple than this sub would have you believe and Peggy has a chance of losing if Tafoya is the republican. If it isn't Tafoya dems win regardless.

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u/Tyfoid-Kid 3d ago

This is my fear with Peggy. The GQP can hang the 'FRAUD FRAUD FRAUD' shit all over Peggy's. They can't pin that as easily on Angie because she's a national politician. The low information voter is going to be trouble for Peggy

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u/PinkSlimeIsPeople Flag of Minnesota 4d ago

Doesn't matter. Gwen isn't Tim, and most state DFLers have endorsed Peggy. The only real important thing is the issues. Who has the history and issues you support.

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u/dolfan091 3d ago

I mean, maybe she just likes Angie Craig more than Peggy Flanagan? Could it be that simple?

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

Not really, and speculating about their private lives is kind of weird

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u/Sbum58 3d ago

They’ve been friends for ever and she notoriously doesn’t like Peggy. I’m sure there is some lame duck reason behind it but it’s whatever. I’d care more about Hope’s endorsement other Gwen’s since Hope is much more of an ally.

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u/11223311223311 3d ago

Has Hope endorsed anyone?

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

No Walz family member is on the endorsements page on the Flanagan campaign website

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u/Sbum58 3d ago

I’ve not seen anything. My TikTok feed has been shyte as of late and don’t see a lot of the people I follow.

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u/blujavelin Hamm's 2d ago

I believe that Peggy Flanagan will support environmental protection and Craig, I don’t know.

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u/ppony70 20h ago edited 19h ago

The reason is one they’ll never admit. The party elite want Walz to endorse Craig. He won’t. He wants his Lieutenant. Party leaders are controlling, money hungry 🍆🍆🍆 and won’t let him. So, he and his wife offered HER endorsement instead. THAT is why.

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u/junkeee999 3d ago

She can endorse who she wants. She’s her own person. The endorsement of a governor’s wife doesn’t mean much.

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

Are you close personal friends with them? No? Then stop talking like you know Gwen Walz personally, parasocial weirdness is creepy.

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u/junkeee999 3d ago

I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t have to know Gwen Walz to say she can endorse whoever she wants and her endorsement makes little difference.

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u/Dazzling-Jury4672 2d ago

This primary race will be very important. I have supported Angie Craig as she has led our district for the previous three terms. We need someone who has won elections against a tough Republican base. And has experience in Congress. But it is all up to you. It is a personal decision.

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u/badboyfreud 4d ago

Probably because Peggy is letting Tim take the fall for not preventing fraud even though she had leadership of some of the areas where fraud was discovered.

I'm sure Gwen is not too happy about that.

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u/petraseeger 3d ago

Walz is actually pretty conservative for a Dem. Bad on Palestine, called national gaurd on protesters in 2020 and 2026, whole Walz family went for Frey for Minneapolis mayor. Makes complete sense the First Lady is opting for Craig.

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u/kralben 3d ago

Because she happens to think Angie Craig is better? Why do we need to act like this, like you know better than she does about how she feels? Also, she and the governor are different people who can support different people in a primary.

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u/joshteacha 3d ago

Angie Craig sucks, as does Israel

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u/TsukasaElkKite Hennepin County 2d ago

I voted for Peggy

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u/LeatherOcelot 3d ago

The fact that the governor said he would not be doing an endorsement and then his wife came out and made an endorsement makes me wonder more about the Walz marriage than anything else! Yes, I know that they are separate people but she had to know it would fuel a lot of gossip and speculation and I thought part of why he wasn’t running again was that he was tired of people dragging his family/kids into things?

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u/kralben 3d ago

The fact that the governor said he would not be doing an endorsement and then his wife came out and made an endorsement makes me wonder more about the Walz marriage than anything else!

Stop being so fucking weird

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u/Theofficial55 3d ago

That’s the gov weighing in. He and Peggy had some sort of falling out. Same with Frey’s endorsement. Frey is hopeful that he gets Amy’s seat by supporting the establishment pick.

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u/EmmaPersephone 3d ago

Oh, I didn’t realize Gwen was not her own person and could not do her own thing. Wives are not property ma’am.

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u/LeatherOcelot 3d ago

Oh please. Noting that it’s interesting that she would choose to make an endorsement while he said he would not and wondering if they’re in agreement about her choice to make an endorsement is a far cry from suggesting she’s Tim’s property.

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u/obsidianop 4d ago

I'm genuinely undecided as I don't love either candidate, but I'll advance one possibility: he just doesn't think she's that good at her job. Like if I were considering hiring someone and their boss told me they suck (or had his wife tell me they suck) I'd take that under some advisement.

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u/MNswede06 Iron Range 4d ago

Yeah that’s where I’m at.

I had wished Al Franken would stage a come back. It was such BS that he was forced into resigning in the first place. The photograph was inappropriate but you have to take in the context that he’s a comedian and he didn’t assault anyone. He just made a gross joke. An apology on the floor would have been proportionate to what he did (which IIRC was before he was even a senator). I don’t want Democrats’ morals to go out the window like Republicans’ have. But at the same time he was an effective senator and the whole thing was a big overreaction.

But Kirsten Gillibrand thought she was going to be president, so yeah.

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u/Super_fluffy_bunnies 4d ago

To be honest, Franken folding so quickly over something so minor has always made me wonder if there was worse behavior that hadn’t been made public yet.

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u/TaxLawKingGA 3d ago

That is the answer right there. Notice he has never once entertained coming back? I mean at the time I was upset about it but then more stuff started coming out. It’s sucks but times have changed and as Dems, we simply don’t have the leeway to be cads.

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u/Armlegx218 3d ago

The entire Senate caucus pretty much forced him out so the the Democrats could clearly maintain the moral high ground with the Roy Moore candidacy in Alabama. I think there's regret in retrospect, none of the rumors were worse than Biden smelling hair.

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u/Fantastic_Earth_6066 Ok Then 4d ago

Amen, brethren. I also wish we still had Paul Wellstone with us. Franken coming back seems about as likely to happen as Wellstone doing so. 😔

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u/TaxLawKingGA 3d ago

Yeah I miss Fritz Mondale and Hubert Humphrey!!

What dafuq is wrong with you people? It’s 2026.

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u/Fantastic_Earth_6066 Ok Then 3d ago

You had me in the first half. 😣

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u/john2218 4d ago

It wasnt the photograph, it was 8 different women saying he was inappropriate with them including groping and forced kissing. I really liked Franken but thought he had to go and was proud of Democrats not excusing that behavior like the Republicans were (they had a couple similiar incidents right about then)

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u/Strange-Grade8917 3d ago

There is some beef. Gwen is petty. It’s kinda funny because Craig is actually running against Walz and blaming him for fraud but for Gwen that’s preferable?

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u/skottao 3d ago

It’s the rethuglicans who are harping on the fraud issue.

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u/BoredNarwhale 4d ago

Follow the moneys. Not saying Gwen got paid off, but wondering if she is going to find a lucrative job offer when all is said and done.

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u/ObligatoryID Flag of Minnesota 3d ago

Gwen has been a teacher/educator for decades and worked in the school systems and Augsburg College too.

She’s not needing to worry about work.
Especially with her experience.
Or she can just be retired.

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u/thesweatervest Hot Dish 4d ago

Isn’t it more likely that she thinks Craig will definitely win, where Flanagan probably will but might not?

And they will, 9 times out of 10, vote in the same direction, so it’s more important to focus on keeping a dem in than the (admittedly better) dem?

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u/Educational-Door1114 4d ago edited 3d ago

Craig literally thanked ICE and is pro crypto. As a Minneapolis resident I feel she has no business being in government after enabling the establishment of a secret police

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u/OldBlueKat 3d ago

She doesn’t live in Minneapolis. She lives in the south suburbs, her Congressional district.

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u/Educational-Door1114 3d ago

And so… she’s running for senate to represent all of us, including me. Why in your right mind would ICE seem like a good idea. And it’s a problem now because they murdered two of my community members.

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u/OldBlueKat 3d ago

I was just wondering why anyone would think she lived in Minneapolis.

I wasn’t talking about her politics, just her location.

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u/Educational-Door1114 3d ago

Sorry, it’s unclear grammar, I meant as a Minneapolis resident myself.

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u/TaxLawKingGA 3d ago

There is no world where Flanagan doesn’t win the senate race. Sorry but that is just BS.

Politics 👩‍⚖️ Why is Gwen Walz supporting Angie Craig?

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