Around 1,000 people rallied at First Avenue in Minneapolis for Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan as her Democratic primary race hits the homestretch.

She leaned into what’s become her rallying cry in a race where she is being outraised and outspent.

“This campaign is about the money versus the many,” Flanagan said. “I am part of the many. You are part of the many. I am betting on us.”

There are now three weeks to go before the Aug. 11 primary, where Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig are vying to be the party’s nominee for an open seat. Republicans are also settling on a nominee that day.

There were big names on stage to push Flanagan’s candidacy at the iconic Minneapolis music venue. That included U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent revered among many progressive Democrats.

Sanders gave a full-throated endorsement for Flanagan. He says she's a key ally in several progressive goals, including raising taxes on billionaires.

“What Peggy knows, what I know, these guys are finally going to start paying their fair share of taxes. We're not going to let billionaires get richer and avoid taxes while people sleep out on the street and kids go hungry,” Sanders said. “That is going to change."

Along with Michigan and Maine, Sanders is working to get his preferred candidate on November’s ballot to push the Democratic caucus in the Senate to the left. Minnesota’s seat is open because U.S. Sen. Tina Smith is retiring.

Smith has backed Flanagan and joined the rally along with U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Flanagan won the DFL Party endorsement in May.

Outside groups supporting both Craig and Flanagan are dropping many millions of dollars into TV ads, with Craig’s allies dwarfing the Flanagan backers.

Flanagan has turned that into a line of attack, saying corporate interests are working to block her from reaching the fall. “It begs the question: Who is she fighting for? I know who I'm fighting for,” she said.

While attacks on campaign funding made up a good deal of the event, Flanagan also spoke to some of her key issues.

“I am running for the United States Senate because I want people to be able to afford the lives they want to live, and that's why I support Medicare for all. That's why I support a national paid family and medical leave,” she said.

Flanagan pushed back on Craig on matters of experience; Craig has served eight years in the U.S. House. Flanagan said she's ready to take on Washington.

“I know exactly how it works. And frankly, that's why I am running,” she said. “I am running to change the way that Washington works for the ultra wealthy, for special interests, and Washington needs to work for us.

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Craig and Flanagan are continuing campaign events across the state ahead of the primary.

On the Republican side, former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, former TV sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya, 2024 Senate nominee Royce White and others are in the mix.

Collected from Minnesota Public Radio News. View original source here.