The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is ending a difficult year with reports of significant tension between Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Separate reports in *Axios* and the *Star Tribune* revealed a growing divide between the two, whose political partnership began in the fall of 2017 when Walz chose Flanagan as his running mate. A source within the administration confirmed the general details of these reports, while Flanagan did not respond to requests for comment.
For years, Flanagan was a constant presence alongside Walz, participating in various public events. However, according to the media reports and Walz’s public schedule, the two haven’t appeared together since their unsuccessful national election bid, which would have elevated Flanagan to the governorship. The *Star Tribune*, citing anonymous sources, reported that Walz’s team was displeased with Flanagan’s actions in anticipation of potentially assuming the governorship, including discussions with prospective hires and preparations for a possible gubernatorial run in 2026. Further fueling the tension, disagreements over personnel and the unauthorized use of Walz’s gubernatorial campaign funds by Flanagan were cited as sources of distrust.
When questioned about the rift on WCCO radio, Walz denied its existence, downplaying the significance of the issue. He attributed their lack of joint appearances to scheduling conflicts. Regarding the unauthorized use of campaign funds, Walz stated he had no knowledge of the matter.
This is not the first instance of reported discord. Flanagan’s progressive activism, particularly her involvement in 2020 and 2021 protests against police killings, contrasted with Walz’s emphasis on maintaining public order following events like the George Floyd murder and the Daunte Wright shooting. This difference in approach led to questions about Flanagan’s place on the 2022 ticket.
Despite their current difficulties, Walz and Flanagan have a long history, dating back two decades to their time at Camp Wellstone. Walz, initially representing a conservative, rural congressional district, selected Flanagan as his running mate to bolster support among Twin Cities progressives. While he has yet to announce his intentions for a third term, Walz hinted at the possibility of a primary challenge in a recent *Star Tribune* interview.
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