Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan champions tribal sovereignty in historic US Senate bid

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is making history in her bid to become the first Native American woman to serve in the United States Senate. Representing the White Earth Nation, Flanagan is currently leading the race to succeed retiring Senator Tina Smith. Her campaign has become a focal point for Indigenous leadership and the protection of tribal sovereignty, according to reporting from ICT News. As the August 11 Democratic primary approaches, Flanagan has emerged as a staunch defender of tribal interests against the rise of prediction market companies. These online platforms, which allow users to place bets on real-world events, have been described by tribal gaming officials as an “existential threat” to Indigenous economies. Flanagan told ICT News that her primary opponent, Congresswoman Angie Craig, has accepted maximum contributions from executives of Kalshi, a leading prediction market company. Flanagan stated that these investments are not a coincidence, suggesting the industry is backing candidates they believe will protect their corporate interests over tribal rights. The race has already become the most expensive primary in Minnesota history, with spending exceeding $12 million by the start of July 2026. This influx of capital includes significant contributions from sports betting giants into various political action committees. Mark Macarro, president of the National Congress of American Indians and chairman of the Pechanga Band of Indians, backed Flanagan’s stance. He noted that supporting prediction markets is fundamentally at odds with supporting tribal sovereignty. Despite the high-spending opposition, political pundit Holly Cook Macarro noted that Flanagan continues to lead the race. The Cook Political Report currently ranks the seat as “likely” for the Democratic candidate, placing Flanagan in a strong position to bring Indigenous representation to the highest levels of American government.