Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan, made her 25th stop on the “Loud & Clear Voice Tour: Caucus Kickoff” in Luverne on the evening of October 21, 2023. As she campaigns for the U.S. Senate, Flanagan aims to connect with constituents across Minnesota, with a total of 44 planned stops.
The event took place at the Generations event center, where Barbara Veldhuizen, chairwoman of the Rock County Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, welcomed Flanagan, expressing gratitude for her outreach to the community. Following her remarks, Nicholas Fryer, Flanagan’s campaign organizer, outlined the next steps for the upcoming Precinct Caucus scheduled for February 3, 2024. He emphasized the importance of engagement and shared his personal motto: “Find the rainbows in your clouds, but also be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”
Flanagan opened her address by reflecting on her childhood and the critical support her family received from federal and state programs. She stated, “The people of Minnesota helped to lift us up, get us back on our feet. And now I get to pay that back.” This personal connection underlines her campaign’s focus on community issues and the struggles many Minnesotans face today.
Throughout her campaign, Flanagan has encountered a wide range of emotions among the people she meets. She highlighted feelings of fear and anger, particularly in light of recent ICE raids, which have left many feeling vulnerable. “What is being done under the guise of safety is making us all less safe,” Flanagan remarked. She noted the collective frustration and sadness, stating, “People are angry and they’re sad and they’re crying out in lament.”
Flanagan criticized the current political climate, particularly the defensive stance some Democratic leaders have taken. “I am sick and tired of Democrats fighting from a defensive crouch or thinking that sternly worded letters are going to be what gets us out of this mess,” she said. Instead, she urged her supporters to adopt a more direct and proactive approach. “This is an opportunity for us to be bold and audacious and defiant in pushing back against the status quo… looking at the problem and saying ‘We have the solution’ that has come to us from real people.”
Her political history includes advocacy for key issues such as paid family and medical leave, access to school meals for children, affordable childcare, and raising the minimum wage. Flanagan emphasized the importance of building a sustainable future, stating, “When I get to Washington, everybody’s coming with me.” She believes that the work being done now is not just for the upcoming 2026 elections but is laying the groundwork for future generations. “We shouldn’t start from scratch every time. We are building for 2028 and 2030 and 2032,” she added.
As Flanagan continues her tour, her campaign reflects her commitment to the values she believes will resonate with voters. Through her personal stories and advocacy for community-driven solutions, she seeks to inspire a sense of hope and agency among the people of Minnesota.
