December 10, 2025 • 31 mins
In this episode, Peggy Flanagan, the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, discusses her candidacy for the United States Senate. She highlights her vision for improving affordability and healthcare, rooted in her personal experiences with Section 8 housing, SNAP, and Medicaid.
Learn more about Peggy Flanagan’s policy plans: https://peggyflanagan.com/
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now you know and know Deave Brosso is a production
of iHeartMedia and partnership with Recent Choice Media. All right, well, folks,
today we have a guest that I've been excited to
have on since the launch of the show. It's someone
I've supported since the week I believe after their campaign.
Now Here on the Midterm series, you're going to hear
(00:20):
a bunch of governors from each state. But what I
really want everyone from across the country to focus on
is the United States Senate in the United States House.
Today we speak with Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor, who is
now running for the United States Senate, which represents all
of America. So Lieutenant Governor Flanagan introduces a bill and
it gets passed. It does not Oh, it does not
(00:42):
only represent Minnesota. It represents the United States.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
So what we speak.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
About today is the Lieutenant governor's policy, her decision on politics,
and why she's running for the US Senate. I think
we're answering a bunch of questions that people have not
only for her, but for candidates running for United States
Senate all across the country, which is why the Senate,
how does this affect me? And I'm not involved in politics,
but how does your policy make my life better? So
(01:07):
today we're going to go in debt about all of
that with the Lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
How are you, Lieutenant Governor.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
I'm doing well, Noah, how are you?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
It's been about it's been about since March, I believe.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Huh, yeah, it's been a minute.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
It's been a minute.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
I remember the day, no the week after, to mark
Women's History Month. I so proudly supported your your candidacy
for the United States Senate, and I couldn't be more
proud of my decision.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
Well, like you were right out of the gate, and
I think you know you uh, you knew what you
were doing because now we've got a lot of folks
who've gotten on board, a lot of US senators whom endorsed,
But like Noah, you were the first. So I am
so grateful to you and your your foresight.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Thank you so much. We were.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Your team is amazing. Let me tell you, we're doing
a midterm series throughout all the teams, all all of
the COMPS directors. Your team is the best. They've got
the Minnesota soul. Huh, they're amazing.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
You hear about southern hospitality, but I think people are
nicer in the Midwest.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
It's uh, it's called Minnesota nice.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Sometimes that can mean that people are a little passive aggressive,
but you know we are.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
We're absolutely kind.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
We're going to help you, you know, shovel your driveway
when it snows. We're going to bring you a hot
dish when you move into the neighborhood. And yeah, we've
got We've got a good team, and we've got a
team of mostly women. I think that matters.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
That matters.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
And look, so tell me about your candidacy. I know
I got to hear. I think I had about twenty
minutes with you. So you told me all about your candidacy.
It was a ping pong Why this? Why that?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Why not? Why that?
Speaker 1 (02:48):
So tell me all about your candidacy for the United
States Senate.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
Sure, absolutely so.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
I'm running because I want to be a I want
people to be able to for the lives they want
to live. And I'm someone who grew up thinking the
bottom could fall out at any moment, and there are
way too many people who feel that way right now,
and frankly not enough people with that kind of experience
serving in Washington, DC. You know, I'm someone who relied
(03:14):
on Section eight to find our housing that would help
pay the rent. When I was coming up, nap kept
food on the table. I was a kid with a
different color lunch ticket, and Medicaid was my healthcare as
a kid growing up. And sometimes I was in the
hospital more than I was out in elementary school with
my asthma. So all of this feels really personal to me,
(03:36):
And I think that if we had more folks serving
in the US Senate who knew what it felt like
to try to stretch twenty bucks through the end of
the month, we want to pass this big, ugly bill,
and we'd actually be dealing with the issues that are
most important in people's lives right now, not the chaos
and cruelty of the Trump administration.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Yeah, if you were in the US Senate, how would
you have dealt with that bill?
Speaker 4 (04:01):
I mean, I certainly wouldn't have supported it, But I
also think there's a real need to make sure that
the voices of real people are being heard within the
halls of power. You know, right now we have to
do everything we can to fight back to restore the
cuts to Medicaid, to restore the cuts to SNAP.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
But that's not enough.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
I think for too long Democrats have been fighting from
a defensive crouch instead of you know, being bold and
audacious and you know, in some ways defiant.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Folks need to.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Be able to afford their lives and things like, you know,
restoring Medicaid matter tremendously, But I think we actually have
to get to the point where people have access to
universal health care. It's time for Medicare for all, you know,
It's time to make sure that prior authorization, some dudes
sitting behind a desk should be able to determine whether
(04:55):
or not you get the life saving healthcare that your
doctor's prescribed, Like, you should just get that care. We
pay for insurance, and so people, you know, need to
get the care that they that they need. So it's
those kinds of things I think that I'm hearing about
from people all across Minnesota, and those are the things
that are worth worth fighting for.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Yeah, and so you you spoke about yourself, I want
to hear about yourself. Tell me about Peggy flann again.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
Well, Peggy flan Again is the lieutenant governor in the
great state of Minnesota. But I can tell you one
of the most important things to me and my identity
is as Chavante mom. I have a twelve year old,
I've got a middle schooler.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
She's amazing.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
I am married to Tom Webber, my husband Tom. We
live in the community of Saint Louis Park, which is
the community.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Where I grew up.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
And I'm a member of the White Earth Nation, which
is the largest tribe in Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
I'm Ojibwe, I'm an honest nab Quay, and.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
So if I were elected, I'd be the first Native
American woman to serve in the US Senate. I'm not
running to make history, but it is certainly overdue that
we have a Native woman serving in the US Senate.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
And I've spent my entire career.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
I mean, I've been a school board member, a state representative.
Marry and Wright Edelman tapped me to run Children's Defense
Fund in Minnesota, and you know, all of those experiences
have really been grounded in making sure that people are seen,
heard and valued and that folks can live good lives.
And so I'm excited to be able to continue that
(06:38):
work for children and families in the US Senate.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Absolutely, how is Minnesota's second gentleman. He's the best. He
really is the best.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
He is the best. So he's doing well.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
I have to tell you, you know, my husband Tom,
I got to marry my local celebrity crush, so that's
that was exciting for me. But Tom is incredible. We
literally every event that we do, he wears a little
name tag that says Peggy's husband Tom and has just
been an incredible, incredible supporter. He makes it all work.
(07:11):
We are a team and he's pretty great. So I
know he's got a lot of fans. So when we
send him out on the road, people are excited, are
excited to see him for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
I'll tell me say, I.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Know, I know he's going to be a great Senate
spouse up in DC when you get into the Senate.
So I do want to ask you if you had
to bring anything to your policy agenda that people who
are just Minnesotans who do not care about politics, what
is one thing on your platform that'll really stick out
to him?
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Well, I think.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
There's you know, there's really two pieces that. I mean,
there's a lot of things. As you know, Noah, we've
talked about policy before I'm a policy nerd, but I
think I'm a policy nerd because policy is what helps
people live good lives, and I think folks who are
most impacted by policies need to have a seat at
the table. And so what we have, you know heard
(08:01):
as I've been traveling the state, is that healthcare is
way too expensive for people. I was recently at an
event in southern Minnesota where someone told me that they're
deductible is fifteen thousand dollars a year and that they
just paid six hundred bucks to go to the doctor
for a five minute medcheck. That is completely unsustainable for people,
(08:21):
and so I think it's time for universal health care
and medicare for all. I think that's something that people understand.
That your healthcare shouldn't be dependent on what kind of
job you have, how much money you make. People should
just have access to it. This is one of the
biggest drivers for costs for people, and I think that
that's something that folks understand. The other thing that I
(08:43):
would say is, you know, we've been really successful here
in Minnesota. A decade ago, I let the fight to
increase the minimum wage in our state. We indexed it
to inflation because we knew that costs would continue to
go up. I think that matters. And so in Minnesota
every January people get an increase in the minimum wage.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
They haven't done that in DC in over sixteen years.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
It's still seven dollars and twenty five cents, which is
like completely ridiculous. And so I think we need to
increase the minimum wage to at least seventeen dollars an
hour and index the two inflation.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
These are the big fights.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
And I would say, finally, I think it's time to
get corporate money out of our politics. I don't take
corporate pac checks. That's been something that's really important to me.
I am funded by real Minnesotan's grassroots folks across the
country because I think that our seats in Congress shouldn't
go to the highest bidder.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
They should go to the people, and the people should decide.
And I think those.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
Are three things that I'm really excited about. And I think,
you know, connect with folks if you're like, I'm not
that into politics. I'm not that into policy. Politics is
into you, whether you like it or not. And so like,
these are the things that I'm hearing about from folks
across the state.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yeah, breathe for a sec.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Things are hitting up and we're just getting star This
is now, you know, be right back. You're out on
the campaign trail. We're going to talk a little bit
about that. Is this the main concern you're hearing? Is
it healthcare? Minimum wage? Cost of living? What's the main
concern that every time you go to a coffee shop
(10:19):
they're like, I need your help.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
Absolutely, it is healthcare, every single time. This is a
thing I think that you know, again, I think Democrats
have been playing it safe, right or saying, oh, we're
going to lower the cost of ten prescription drugs for
folks on Medicare.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
That matters absolutely. You know.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
My question is why not all of them? And I
think a big part of that is because so many
folks who serve or who run are funded by these corporations. Right, So,
like you extend your hand and say I'm going to
hold big Pharma accountable to lower the cost of prescription drugs,
and then in the other hand is outstretched to get
(11:02):
a pack check from that pharmaceutical company. People are smarter
than that, and I think they understand right that we
need to make sure that we are beholden to the people,
and that is I think what allows us to then
fight those big fights. But that is absolutely what I'm hearing.
I'm hearing about healthcare, I'm hearing about wages, I'm hearing
(11:23):
about childcare, housing, all of these issues I think that
really are about affordability and frankly, the things that we
heard Donald Trump talk a lot about in twenty twenty four.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
I don't know where he is right.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
You know, he's distracting us, He is causing you know,
cruelty and heartache. I think cruelty is the point, and
trying to distract us from the fact that people are
struggling out here. They need help, and that's my job
and that's what I certainly have set out to do.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Yeah, you're lieutenant governor, So what is your proudest accomplishment?
I asked you this back in March, and I'm embarrassed
to say I forgot, So remind me what is your
proudest accomplishment as lieutenant governor?
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Well, I will tell you this.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
I think the through line for so much of the work,
like my occupation has changed, but my vocation has always
been the same, and that's making sure right that children
and families have opportunity. And so when I was a mom,
a new mom, my daughter Shavn was an infant on
my hip. I was one of the co founders of
(12:30):
Minnesotan's for Paid Family a Medical Leave, and so we
got that done when I was the Lieutenant governor, when
she was in fourth grade. We signed that into law.
And for me, knowing that parents don't have to choose
between taking care of a new baby, a sick loved one,
or themselves and a paycheck, that is incredibly meaningful. We
(12:53):
need to do that at the national level. But I
think like those are the fights, those through lines that
started right when I was an organizer or an advocate,
and then we were able to get it done. And
then I would say, you know, that minimum wage piece,
just you know, that didn't happen when I was a
lieutenant governor, but that remains one of my proudest accomplishments.
You know. I remember the night before we were going
(13:15):
into a really tough negotiation on minimum wage, and we
thought that we were going to have to give up
that indexing piece, and I called my mom and I
was like, Mom, I don't know what we're going to do.
Here and she said, well, Peggy, I wish that there
are more folks like you who were fighting for our
family when we were coming up.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
She's like, you know what you have to do when
you go into that room, You do not bunch. People
need you. And so I think about that a lot.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
And so my mom was the hardest working person I've
ever met in my life, and we lost her in
twenty twenty two, but I have to tell you her
spirit lives on and this this work that I'm trying
to do every single day, and you know, fighting for
my own kid and for the future of so many
other young people, and that.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Is the work.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Yeah, You're not just the Canaida. You have a record
to show for it. So that was one of the
things that excited me about your candidacy. And on the
Midterm series, there's a lot of people that are looking
for people not with good slogans, but with a good record,
and that is a great record to run on. Question
about the campaign trail, Now, we spoke about this Minnesota
Fair and this giant pork stick.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Where have you been campaigning at? What is this place?
Speaker 1 (14:29):
So?
Speaker 4 (14:30):
I love the Minnesota State Fair and Noah, you're going
to come to the Minnesota State Fair. It is right
before Labor Day, the end of August into September.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
It is my favorite thing in the whole world.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
There are folks from all across the state of Minnesota
highlighting all the best things about our state, agriculture, industry, businesses,
food and food on a stick. So we're gonna get
you a pork chop on a stick and you know,
a proano pop. But we spent a lot of time
(15:08):
there and it's such an incredible.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Place to really just meet people where they're at.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
And we did have a very special guest, Senator Elizabeth
Warren came with me to the Minnesota Stay Fair and
we ate corn together and visited with Minnesotan's and so
you are welcome to be to be my special guest.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
But it is, you know, it is so much fun
and it's.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Just the best of who we are, people from all
different walks of life coming together to celebrate what it
means to be Minnesotan, to be a good neighbor, to
share some snacks, and to have a good time during
the twelve best days of summer.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
You know what, I can't wait. I'm going. I can't wait.
Where's the Minnesota Stay Fair.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
It is in Saint Paul St. Paul or Healthy Knights.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
I think Democrats have are really good with the you know,
for example, Georgia, Democrats are right with Atlanta, and I
think in Minnesota Democrats are really good with the big cities.
How are you out in the rural areas talking to
folks who might even be who might be most affected
by these health care policies?
Speaker 2 (16:10):
What are you telling them? What are they telling you?
Speaker 3 (16:12):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (16:12):
So, we have been traveling all across the state since
we launched. We've done over one hundred events and we're
actually getting read ready to launch a tour, which I'll
talk about in just a second here. But we've been
doing what we're calling kitchen table conversations all across Minnesota.
And these are like our little less town hall with
scripted questions and more community meeting. We've got flip shart paper,
(16:35):
we've got markers, We've you know, got.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Posted notes, and these rooms are packed.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
And so we are having a lot of these conversations
in Greater Minnesota. And I would say, you know, the
majority of the events that we have done with these
kitchen table conversations have been in Red congressional districts, because
our voters are everywhere across the state. You know, the
seventh congressional district, which is a fairly rural. We've done
fifteen events there since we've launched, and so that is
(17:04):
the way that we win. We show up in communities
over and over and over again. We build those relationships,
we build that trust. And every time, right we talk
about healthcare, every time we talk about Medicare for all,
people are cheering.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Folks get it.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
And I want to be clear, it's not just Democrats
who are in these rooms, right.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
It is people who.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
Are independent, or it's folks who say, I don't identify
with any political party, but I am really freaked out
and I am very troubled by what I see happening
right now. So I'm here to figure out what it
is I can do. And then we have Republicans who
are coming to these conversations too hand full of said like,
I don't agree with you on a lot of stuff,
but you know, I know that you're going to fight
(17:47):
for affordability. And so rather than blame and shame people
for you know, not voting, maybe that's the same way
that I did. It's like come on in, right, there's
room for you in this fight. And so that is
that how we do the work. I've been the lieutenant
governor for the last seven years, representing the entire state
of Minnesota. I have, you know, put the miles on,
(18:09):
and we've continued to do that during this campaign. People
need to see that you care, that you're showing up.
That's what we're doing.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Yeah, speaking of your time as lieutenant governor, will you
campaign with Governor Walls?
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Well, I certainly think you know he's on the trail.
I have endorsed his re election. I was there at
his kickoff, right. I'm proud of the work that Governor
Walls and I have done together. We're really good on
the trail together. So I think you can expect that
that will certainly happen again as we're going out and
(18:42):
we are actually we're kicking off something we're calling the
Loud Clear Voice Tour. We're doing thirty eight cities in
the next six weeks as we're getting ready for precinct caucuses,
so all across the state of Minnesota, putting those miles on,
meeting folks where they're at. So we're super excited and
we're a lining that today.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
I have a question. Yeah, I've only met Governor Walls once.
Can I meet Governor Walls again?
Speaker 4 (19:07):
I mean, like, I don't do a schedule, but I
certainly know. I'm like, this is my guy, right, You're
both two of my favorite people, so like we can
make that happen.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
I really appreciate that. But in all seriousness, I love
the race you're running. All right, hold up, we'll be
right back after this quick break.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
I want to ask you about the campaign trail.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
When when you're out in these places do you get
in the rural areas do you get their congress? Who
are you speaking with these people? Who are you talking
to them with?
Speaker 4 (19:44):
I mean, we are talking to farmers and teachers and
small business owners, We're talking to students, we're talking to veterans.
We did an event in Moorhead, Minnesota, and there's a
guy who can in and he was like, he said,
I've never been to anything like this before, but I
(20:05):
worked for the Postal Service and I'm kind of worried
about my job, so I thought I'd come over here
and check it out. And then by the end of
the event he was like, well, I signed up to
volunteer and he joked, He's like, I'm really good going
door to door. And I was like, well, your skills right,
your skill set like absolutely are matched up right with
what it is that we're looking for. So it's people,
(20:26):
it's moms, it's seniors, it's students. These rooms really look
like Minnesota, and I think that that's incredibly important. I
know that folks are afraid, and you know, what they
see happening right now under the Trump administration is just
(20:46):
deeply frightening, and I think sometimes can overwhelm us. But
what I also see as I'm going out into these
rooms all across the state of Minnesota is a lot
of hope. And so that's the note that we end
on every time we have these conversations. You know, I
think we talk about what worries you in this moment,
(21:07):
who are you fighting for, and that what brings you hope?
And there is a lot of good work that is
happening in communities, and so I want folks to also
know that that there are people who are stepping up,
who are showing up all these like grandmas and aunties
who have never you know, gone to a protest before,
(21:27):
right who are going to the No Kings rallies who
are showing up are indivisible groups across Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Everywhere.
Speaker 4 (21:35):
It is small towns, it's big cities. People are just
already are ready to work, and we need to give
them that opportunity to make sure that they are engaged
involved in this campaign. But also, Noah, you know this,
and I think you know this better than most people.
This isn't just about twenty twenty six, right, This is
about twenty twenty eight and twenty thirty and twenty thirty two.
(21:57):
And what it is that we are building for the
future kind of party where people want to be a
part of it because they see themselves reflected in the
work that we're doing.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
That we're willing to take on the big fights.
Speaker 4 (22:09):
We're willing to make sure that we are saying like
no to big corporations and yes to real people, and
that the politics as usual that have gotten us to
this place where we feel a little disconnected. You know,
folks are losing that hope that we can be done
with that we can give people a new kind of
politics where you know, they know that they have representation
(22:29):
and that somebody's fighting for them. And that's what we're
seeing in these rooms all across Minnesota and people who
are willing to share deeply personal stories. I get to
carry those stories on the trail, and then those stories
turn into the policies that we're going to fight for
in Washington.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Yeah, questions, So I do a little unauthorized phone banking.
So I'll call family members out in Minnesota. Now I'll
ask them who they're supporting. I'll try to convince them.
A question I got was, why isn't she running for
another term as lieutenant governor? What makes you want to
run for the US Senate and not another term because
you could easily did that for sure.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
And I will tell you I am, you know, again,
so proud of the work that Governor Walls and I
have done together.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
And people are used to Tim and Peggy and the.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Walls planting again administration, right, but I think it was time,
you know, for me to step out and for people
to see this is the Peggy Flant again for US
Senate campaign. Senator Tina Smith, who is retiring, has been
just an absolute incredible.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Leader for our states.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
And when I think about the work that I've been
able to do, you know, at the school board and
the State House, a children's defense fund. As lieutenant governor,
I think it's now time to bring that experience to Washington,
d C. I have no doubt that Tim Walls will
pick a great LG candidate, and I will cheer them on.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
I will lift them up, but maybe.
Speaker 5 (23:57):
A little jealous, like that's my seat, I mean, I
will I know that the governor is really good at
sharance nacks, so you know, like that may I'm maybe
a little bit jealous of at And it is different, right,
Like you run as a team and so being out here,
you know, on my own is you know, is a
different kind of experience.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
But I will tell you running for US Senate is
one of the hardest things I've ever done in my
life and is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing
right now. So I know that this is, uh, this
is my path, this is the seat. Once it opened up,
I was like, this is what I'm supposed to do.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
I really felt called.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
To do it absolutely, And that kind of answers the
question of another person asked, why not precede Governor Walls
and become governor yourself?
Speaker 2 (24:39):
And that that kind of answers that.
Speaker 4 (24:41):
Well, yeah, and I think the you know, Governor Walls
is running for a third term. I'm cheering them on
and and I think the fights that I want to
fight are in Washington. It is bringing a little bit
more Minnesota to Washington, d C. I think that's what's
needed and necessary. I've got a good track record of
delivering on affordability for families. I don't back down from
a fight. I am small, but I am mighty, and
(25:04):
we got to take it to Donald Trump and to
the Republicans in Congress who have completely forgotten so many Americans.
Our job is to remind them who they represent and
what's at stake.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Yeah, and there's no one better to do that but you.
This whole midterm series, I haven't vocally advocated for a candidate,
but I want to give you opportunity. What's your campaign
website and what's the actions people should take?
Speaker 4 (25:27):
Sure absolutely so you can go to Peggy Flanagan dot
com to sign up to contribute, to volunteer. You know,
we have got phone bankers all across the country. There's
lots of opportunities for you here and then if you're
in Minnesota, would love to see you on our loud,
clear voice tour. We've got thirty eight cities all across
(25:47):
the state. Visit our website for more information. Love to
see you on the trail.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
Absolutely, And I have to ask you this question. I
have to how do you feel about Michael Lindell potentially
running for governor?
Speaker 4 (26:00):
He would be welcomed to the race. He is an
interesting fellow. And what an incredible contrast between the good
work of governors and walls and the hot mess that
is Mike Lindell.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
You want to know a hot mess, Lieutenant governor. This
is unrelated, but I have to bring it up. I
tried hot dish in it an admiration for the governor
in yourself, and I have to say I've never seen
anything like it. Do you make hot dish?
Speaker 3 (26:33):
I do?
Speaker 4 (26:34):
And in fact, I've got a wild rice hot dish
recipe that if folks make a contribution, we will we
will send it to them. But hot dish is really
just uh it's casse role. But in Minnesota we call
it a hot dish.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
And so you can foot cream of mushroom soup in it,
Tater todd screen beans, you know, hamburger.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
It is a Minnesota staple. And and one of my
favorite foods. You know, it gets cold here, so you
gotta warm yourself up with the hot dish.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
The one I had first. That's why it's a hot mess.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
It was like it was, And then I had one
that was really great, and I'm going to eat that tonight.
That's actually a good idea. But yes, and so you're
you're out on the campaign tro. What's your tour called?
Speaker 3 (27:18):
Once again, Loud Clear Voice Tour.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
Clear that is based on my native name is Gigi
Wavin Amukoy, which means speaks in a loud and clear
voice woman, and so loud clear Voice Tour, it just works.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
That fits you perfectly. That fits you perfectly, and you'll
be out on the campaign tro. Do you know what
city is you'll be in.
Speaker 4 (27:39):
Yeah, there's a whole list that will be available for
folks on the website, but it's every corner of a state.
We are hitting the road. We're going to be in
the urban core, the suburbs greater Minnesota. So tune in
over the next several weeks. We'll probably be nearby in
(28:00):
your town in Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
One hundred percent.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
And I don't know because of how vocally supportive I
am of you that your opponent will come on here,
and for those listening, what differentiates you from your opponents?
Speaker 3 (28:14):
You know, my opponents in the primary.
Speaker 4 (28:16):
I think the choice that's facing people in Minnesota is
really the choice that is facing the Democratic Party overall.
Do you want an institutional, corporate dem who is fueled
by corporate pack money or do you want a progressive
fighter with the track record of delivering for for working folks.
I think that that is that's the difference. And I
(28:39):
think that people understand that they want their politicians to
be beholden to the people and that the seat shouldn't
go to the highest bidder. So that is the you know,
that's the choice in front of folks in Minnesota, and
we're working incredibly hard to make sure that people know
this is a people powered campaign. You can't buy this seat,
(29:01):
and that this is you know, what We're all about
is meeting people where are there at and going on
the road, hearing directly from them and making sure that
I'm bringing all of that those stories that input the
passion the concerns to Washington.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Absolutely, and there's you have no I notice you have
no stronger fighters than the United States senators.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
They love you.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
They cannot wait for you to join them. You have
countless United States Senate endorsement. What's that about.
Speaker 4 (29:28):
I am really honored and humble to have the support
of so many United States Senators who are on the
front lines doing the work right now, and the fact
that they think that I am the best person to
join them is.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
Really really an honor.
Speaker 4 (29:44):
Senator Elizabeth Warren came out and supported us, like right
out of the gate.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
She's been incredible.
Speaker 4 (29:51):
Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed us as well. And then
we had a whole block of senators who are calling
themselves the fight who have weighed in, and that's a
Senator Murphy Murkley, Van Holland and Heinrich and Marky have
all weighed in as well. So these are some of
(30:14):
I think the most effective progressive voices that we have
in our party right now. And I was the first
endorsement that this Fight Club made in this cycle, and
so I'm excited to be able to work with them
in Washington and their support has been absolutely incredible.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
It's gonna be a long fight ahead.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
I'm thankful for you coming on here, and I will
see you at the State Fair.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
I love it. Thanks so much, Noah.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Well, folks, that was an amazing interview, really great interview
speaking with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flannigan. She was not scared
to say anything at all. She was ready, She had
everything ready, and I could not be more proud of
a candidate for the US Senate that repper not only
her state, but the entire country. I think during this
midterm series, you all need to understand that the United
(31:08):
States Senate represents the entire nation. So if she passed
the bill and it gets passed a minimum wage bill
to get minimum wage fifty seventeen dollars an hour, that
goes to you too. It's a federal minimum wage loss.
So I'm extremely I'm so thankful for the Lieutenant Governor
coming on here today.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
Now you know.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
And No de Barrosso is a production of iHeartMedia and
partnership with Recent Choice Media
Now you know and know Deave Brosso is a production
of iHeartMedia and partnership with Recent Choice Media. All right, well, folks,
today we have a guest that I've been excited to
have on since the launch of the show. It's someone
I've supported since the week I believe after their campaign.
Now Here on the Midterm series, you're going to hear
(00:20):
a bunch of governors from each state. But what I
really want everyone from across the country to focus on
is the United States Senate in the United States House.
Today we speak with Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor, who is
now running for the United States Senate, which represents all
of America. So Lieutenant Governor Flanagan introduces a bill and
it gets passed. It does not Oh, it does not
(00:42):
only represent Minnesota. It represents the United States.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
So what we speak.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
About today is the Lieutenant governor's policy, her decision on politics,
and why she's running for the US Senate. I think
we're answering a bunch of questions that people have not
only for her, but for candidates running for United States
Senate all across the country, which is why the Senate,
how does this affect me? And I'm not involved in politics,
but how does your policy make my life better? So
(01:07):
today we're going to go in debt about all of
that with the Lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
How are you, Lieutenant Governor.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
I'm doing well, Noah, how are you?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
It's been about it's been about since March, I believe.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Huh, yeah, it's been a minute.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
It's been a minute.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
I remember the day, no the week after, to mark
Women's History Month. I so proudly supported your your candidacy
for the United States Senate, and I couldn't be more
proud of my decision.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
Well, like you were right out of the gate, and
I think you know you uh, you knew what you
were doing because now we've got a lot of folks
who've gotten on board, a lot of US senators whom endorsed,
But like Noah, you were the first. So I am
so grateful to you and your your foresight.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Thank you so much. We were.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Your team is amazing. Let me tell you, we're doing
a midterm series throughout all the teams, all all of
the COMPS directors. Your team is the best. They've got
the Minnesota soul. Huh, they're amazing.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
That's right, that's right.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
You hear about southern hospitality, but I think people are
nicer in the Midwest.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
It's uh, it's called Minnesota nice.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
Sometimes that can mean that people are a little passive aggressive,
but you know we are.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
We're absolutely kind.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
We're going to help you, you know, shovel your driveway
when it snows. We're going to bring you a hot
dish when you move into the neighborhood. And yeah, we've
got We've got a good team, and we've got a
team of mostly women. I think that matters.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
That matters.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
And look, so tell me about your candidacy. I know
I got to hear. I think I had about twenty
minutes with you. So you told me all about your candidacy.
It was a ping pong Why this? Why that?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Why not? Why that?
Speaker 1 (02:48):
So tell me all about your candidacy for the United
States Senate.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
Sure, absolutely so.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
I'm running because I want to be a I want
people to be able to for the lives they want
to live. And I'm someone who grew up thinking the
bottom could fall out at any moment, and there are
way too many people who feel that way right now,
and frankly not enough people with that kind of experience
serving in Washington, DC. You know, I'm someone who relied
(03:14):
on Section eight to find our housing that would help
pay the rent. When I was coming up, nap kept
food on the table. I was a kid with a
different color lunch ticket, and Medicaid was my healthcare as
a kid growing up. And sometimes I was in the
hospital more than I was out in elementary school with
my asthma. So all of this feels really personal to me,
(03:36):
And I think that if we had more folks serving
in the US Senate who knew what it felt like
to try to stretch twenty bucks through the end of
the month, we want to pass this big, ugly bill,
and we'd actually be dealing with the issues that are
most important in people's lives right now, not the chaos
and cruelty of the Trump administration.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Yeah, if you were in the US Senate, how would
you have dealt with that bill?
Speaker 4 (04:01):
I mean, I certainly wouldn't have supported it, But I
also think there's a real need to make sure that
the voices of real people are being heard within the
halls of power. You know, right now we have to
do everything we can to fight back to restore the
cuts to Medicaid, to restore the cuts to SNAP.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
But that's not enough.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
I think for too long Democrats have been fighting from
a defensive crouch instead of you know, being bold and
audacious and you know, in some ways defiant.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Folks need to.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Be able to afford their lives and things like, you know,
restoring Medicaid matter tremendously, But I think we actually have
to get to the point where people have access to
universal health care. It's time for Medicare for all, you know,
It's time to make sure that prior authorization, some dudes
sitting behind a desk should be able to determine whether
(04:55):
or not you get the life saving healthcare that your
doctor's prescribed, Like, you should just get that care. We
pay for insurance, and so people, you know, need to
get the care that they that they need. So it's
those kinds of things I think that I'm hearing about
from people all across Minnesota, and those are the things
that are worth worth fighting for.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Yeah, and so you you spoke about yourself, I want
to hear about yourself. Tell me about Peggy flann again.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
Well, Peggy flan Again is the lieutenant governor in the
great state of Minnesota. But I can tell you one
of the most important things to me and my identity
is as Chavante mom. I have a twelve year old,
I've got a middle schooler.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
She's amazing.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
I am married to Tom Webber, my husband Tom. We
live in the community of Saint Louis Park, which is
the community.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Where I grew up.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
And I'm a member of the White Earth Nation, which
is the largest tribe in Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
I'm Ojibwe, I'm an honest nab Quay, and.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
So if I were elected, I'd be the first Native
American woman to serve in the US Senate. I'm not
running to make history, but it is certainly overdue that
we have a Native woman serving in the US Senate.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
And I've spent my entire career.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
I mean, I've been a school board member, a state representative.
Marry and Wright Edelman tapped me to run Children's Defense
Fund in Minnesota, and you know, all of those experiences
have really been grounded in making sure that people are seen,
heard and valued and that folks can live good lives.
And so I'm excited to be able to continue that
(06:38):
work for children and families in the US Senate.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Absolutely, how is Minnesota's second gentleman. He's the best. He
really is the best.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
He is the best. So he's doing well.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
I have to tell you, you know, my husband Tom,
I got to marry my local celebrity crush, so that's
that was exciting for me. But Tom is incredible. We
literally every event that we do, he wears a little
name tag that says Peggy's husband Tom and has just
been an incredible, incredible supporter. He makes it all work.
(07:11):
We are a team and he's pretty great. So I
know he's got a lot of fans. So when we
send him out on the road, people are excited, are
excited to see him for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
I'll tell me say, I.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Know, I know he's going to be a great Senate
spouse up in DC when you get into the Senate.
So I do want to ask you if you had
to bring anything to your policy agenda that people who
are just Minnesotans who do not care about politics, what
is one thing on your platform that'll really stick out
to him?
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Well, I think.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
There's you know, there's really two pieces that. I mean,
there's a lot of things. As you know, Noah, we've
talked about policy before I'm a policy nerd, but I
think I'm a policy nerd because policy is what helps
people live good lives, and I think folks who are
most impacted by policies need to have a seat at
the table. And so what we have, you know heard
(08:01):
as I've been traveling the state, is that healthcare is
way too expensive for people. I was recently at an
event in southern Minnesota where someone told me that they're
deductible is fifteen thousand dollars a year and that they
just paid six hundred bucks to go to the doctor
for a five minute medcheck. That is completely unsustainable for people,
(08:21):
and so I think it's time for universal health care
and medicare for all. I think that's something that people understand.
That your healthcare shouldn't be dependent on what kind of
job you have, how much money you make. People should
just have access to it. This is one of the
biggest drivers for costs for people, and I think that
that's something that folks understand. The other thing that I
(08:43):
would say is, you know, we've been really successful here
in Minnesota. A decade ago, I let the fight to
increase the minimum wage in our state. We indexed it
to inflation because we knew that costs would continue to
go up. I think that matters. And so in Minnesota
every January people get an increase in the minimum wage.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
They haven't done that in DC in over sixteen years.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
It's still seven dollars and twenty five cents, which is
like completely ridiculous. And so I think we need to
increase the minimum wage to at least seventeen dollars an
hour and index the two inflation.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
These are the big fights.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
And I would say, finally, I think it's time to
get corporate money out of our politics. I don't take
corporate pac checks. That's been something that's really important to me.
I am funded by real Minnesotan's grassroots folks across the
country because I think that our seats in Congress shouldn't
go to the highest bidder.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
They should go to the people, and the people should decide.
And I think those.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
Are three things that I'm really excited about. And I think,
you know, connect with folks if you're like, I'm not
that into politics. I'm not that into policy. Politics is
into you, whether you like it or not. And so like,
these are the things that I'm hearing about from folks
across the state.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Yeah, breathe for a sec.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Things are hitting up and we're just getting star This
is now, you know, be right back. You're out on
the campaign trail. We're going to talk a little bit
about that. Is this the main concern you're hearing? Is
it healthcare? Minimum wage? Cost of living? What's the main
concern that every time you go to a coffee shop
(10:19):
they're like, I need your help.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
Absolutely, it is healthcare, every single time. This is a
thing I think that you know, again, I think Democrats
have been playing it safe, right or saying, oh, we're
going to lower the cost of ten prescription drugs for
folks on Medicare.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
That matters absolutely. You know.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
My question is why not all of them? And I
think a big part of that is because so many
folks who serve or who run are funded by these corporations. Right, So,
like you extend your hand and say I'm going to
hold big Pharma accountable to lower the cost of prescription drugs,
and then in the other hand is outstretched to get
(11:02):
a pack check from that pharmaceutical company. People are smarter
than that, and I think they understand right that we
need to make sure that we are beholden to the people,
and that is I think what allows us to then
fight those big fights. But that is absolutely what I'm hearing.
I'm hearing about healthcare, I'm hearing about wages, I'm hearing
(11:23):
about childcare, housing, all of these issues I think that
really are about affordability and frankly, the things that we
heard Donald Trump talk a lot about in twenty twenty four.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
I don't know where he is right.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
You know, he's distracting us, He is causing you know,
cruelty and heartache. I think cruelty is the point, and
trying to distract us from the fact that people are
struggling out here. They need help, and that's my job
and that's what I certainly have set out to do.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Yeah, you're lieutenant governor, So what is your proudest accomplishment?
I asked you this back in March, and I'm embarrassed
to say I forgot, So remind me what is your
proudest accomplishment as lieutenant governor?
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Well, I will tell you this.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
I think the through line for so much of the work,
like my occupation has changed, but my vocation has always
been the same, and that's making sure right that children
and families have opportunity. And so when I was a mom,
a new mom, my daughter Shavn was an infant on
my hip. I was one of the co founders of
(12:30):
Minnesotan's for Paid Family a Medical Leave, and so we
got that done when I was the Lieutenant governor, when
she was in fourth grade. We signed that into law.
And for me, knowing that parents don't have to choose
between taking care of a new baby, a sick loved one,
or themselves and a paycheck, that is incredibly meaningful. We
(12:53):
need to do that at the national level. But I
think like those are the fights, those through lines that
started right when I was an organizer or an advocate,
and then we were able to get it done. And
then I would say, you know, that minimum wage piece,
just you know, that didn't happen when I was a
lieutenant governor, but that remains one of my proudest accomplishments.
You know. I remember the night before we were going
(13:15):
into a really tough negotiation on minimum wage, and we
thought that we were going to have to give up
that indexing piece, and I called my mom and I
was like, Mom, I don't know what we're going to do.
Here and she said, well, Peggy, I wish that there
are more folks like you who were fighting for our
family when we were coming up.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
She's like, you know what you have to do when
you go into that room, You do not bunch. People
need you. And so I think about that a lot.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
And so my mom was the hardest working person I've
ever met in my life, and we lost her in
twenty twenty two, but I have to tell you her
spirit lives on and this this work that I'm trying
to do every single day, and you know, fighting for
my own kid and for the future of so many
other young people, and that.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Is the work.
Speaker 1 (14:05):
Yeah, You're not just the Canaida. You have a record
to show for it. So that was one of the
things that excited me about your candidacy. And on the
Midterm series, there's a lot of people that are looking
for people not with good slogans, but with a good record,
and that is a great record to run on. Question
about the campaign trail, Now, we spoke about this Minnesota
Fair and this giant pork stick.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Where have you been campaigning at? What is this place?
Speaker 1 (14:29):
So?
Speaker 4 (14:30):
I love the Minnesota State Fair and Noah, you're going
to come to the Minnesota State Fair. It is right
before Labor Day, the end of August into September.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
It is my favorite thing in the whole world.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
There are folks from all across the state of Minnesota
highlighting all the best things about our state, agriculture, industry, businesses,
food and food on a stick. So we're gonna get
you a pork chop on a stick and you know,
a proano pop. But we spent a lot of time
(15:08):
there and it's such an incredible.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Place to really just meet people where they're at.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
And we did have a very special guest, Senator Elizabeth
Warren came with me to the Minnesota Stay Fair and
we ate corn together and visited with Minnesotan's and so
you are welcome to be to be my special guest.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
But it is, you know, it is so much fun
and it's.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Just the best of who we are, people from all
different walks of life coming together to celebrate what it
means to be Minnesotan, to be a good neighbor, to
share some snacks, and to have a good time during
the twelve best days of summer.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
You know what, I can't wait. I'm going. I can't wait.
Where's the Minnesota Stay Fair.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
It is in Saint Paul St. Paul or Healthy Knights.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
I think Democrats have are really good with the you know,
for example, Georgia, Democrats are right with Atlanta, and I
think in Minnesota Democrats are really good with the big cities.
How are you out in the rural areas talking to
folks who might even be who might be most affected
by these health care policies?
Speaker 2 (16:10):
What are you telling them? What are they telling you?
Speaker 3 (16:12):
Absolutely?
Speaker 4 (16:12):
So, we have been traveling all across the state since
we launched. We've done over one hundred events and we're
actually getting read ready to launch a tour, which I'll
talk about in just a second here. But we've been
doing what we're calling kitchen table conversations all across Minnesota.
And these are like our little less town hall with
scripted questions and more community meeting. We've got flip shart paper,
(16:35):
we've got markers, We've you know, got.
Speaker 3 (16:37):
Posted notes, and these rooms are packed.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
And so we are having a lot of these conversations
in Greater Minnesota. And I would say, you know, the
majority of the events that we have done with these
kitchen table conversations have been in Red congressional districts, because
our voters are everywhere across the state. You know, the
seventh congressional district, which is a fairly rural. We've done
fifteen events there since we've launched, and so that is
(17:04):
the way that we win. We show up in communities
over and over and over again. We build those relationships,
we build that trust. And every time, right we talk
about healthcare, every time we talk about Medicare for all,
people are cheering.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Folks get it.
Speaker 4 (17:20):
And I want to be clear, it's not just Democrats
who are in these rooms, right.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
It is people who.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
Are independent, or it's folks who say, I don't identify
with any political party, but I am really freaked out
and I am very troubled by what I see happening
right now. So I'm here to figure out what it
is I can do. And then we have Republicans who
are coming to these conversations too hand full of said like,
I don't agree with you on a lot of stuff,
but you know, I know that you're going to fight
(17:47):
for affordability. And so rather than blame and shame people
for you know, not voting, maybe that's the same way
that I did. It's like come on in, right, there's
room for you in this fight. And so that is
that how we do the work. I've been the lieutenant
governor for the last seven years, representing the entire state
of Minnesota. I have, you know, put the miles on,
(18:09):
and we've continued to do that during this campaign. People
need to see that you care, that you're showing up.
That's what we're doing.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
Yeah, speaking of your time as lieutenant governor, will you
campaign with Governor Walls?
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Well, I certainly think you know he's on the trail.
I have endorsed his re election. I was there at
his kickoff, right. I'm proud of the work that Governor
Walls and I have done together. We're really good on
the trail together. So I think you can expect that
that will certainly happen again as we're going out and
(18:42):
we are actually we're kicking off something we're calling the
Loud Clear Voice Tour. We're doing thirty eight cities in
the next six weeks as we're getting ready for precinct caucuses,
so all across the state of Minnesota, putting those miles on,
meeting folks where they're at. So we're super excited and
we're a lining that today.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
I have a question. Yeah, I've only met Governor Walls once.
Can I meet Governor Walls again?
Speaker 4 (19:07):
I mean, like, I don't do a schedule, but I
certainly know. I'm like, this is my guy, right, You're
both two of my favorite people, so like we can
make that happen.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
I really appreciate that. But in all seriousness, I love
the race you're running. All right, hold up, we'll be
right back after this quick break.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
I want to ask you about the campaign trail.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
When when you're out in these places do you get
in the rural areas do you get their congress? Who
are you speaking with these people? Who are you talking
to them with?
Speaker 4 (19:44):
I mean, we are talking to farmers and teachers and
small business owners, We're talking to students, we're talking to veterans.
We did an event in Moorhead, Minnesota, and there's a
guy who can in and he was like, he said,
I've never been to anything like this before, but I
(20:05):
worked for the Postal Service and I'm kind of worried
about my job, so I thought I'd come over here
and check it out. And then by the end of
the event he was like, well, I signed up to
volunteer and he joked, He's like, I'm really good going
door to door. And I was like, well, your skills right,
your skill set like absolutely are matched up right with
what it is that we're looking for. So it's people,
(20:26):
it's moms, it's seniors, it's students. These rooms really look
like Minnesota, and I think that that's incredibly important. I
know that folks are afraid, and you know, what they
see happening right now under the Trump administration is just
(20:46):
deeply frightening, and I think sometimes can overwhelm us. But
what I also see as I'm going out into these
rooms all across the state of Minnesota is a lot
of hope. And so that's the note that we end
on every time we have these conversations. You know, I
think we talk about what worries you in this moment,
(21:07):
who are you fighting for, and that what brings you hope?
And there is a lot of good work that is
happening in communities, and so I want folks to also
know that that there are people who are stepping up,
who are showing up all these like grandmas and aunties
who have never you know, gone to a protest before,
(21:27):
right who are going to the No Kings rallies who
are showing up are indivisible groups across Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Everywhere.
Speaker 4 (21:35):
It is small towns, it's big cities. People are just
already are ready to work, and we need to give
them that opportunity to make sure that they are engaged
involved in this campaign. But also, Noah, you know this,
and I think you know this better than most people.
This isn't just about twenty twenty six, right, This is
about twenty twenty eight and twenty thirty and twenty thirty two.
(21:57):
And what it is that we are building for the
future kind of party where people want to be a
part of it because they see themselves reflected in the
work that we're doing.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
That we're willing to take on the big fights.
Speaker 4 (22:09):
We're willing to make sure that we are saying like
no to big corporations and yes to real people, and
that the politics as usual that have gotten us to
this place where we feel a little disconnected. You know,
folks are losing that hope that we can be done
with that we can give people a new kind of
politics where you know, they know that they have representation
(22:29):
and that somebody's fighting for them. And that's what we're
seeing in these rooms all across Minnesota and people who
are willing to share deeply personal stories. I get to
carry those stories on the trail, and then those stories
turn into the policies that we're going to fight for
in Washington.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Yeah, questions, So I do a little unauthorized phone banking.
So I'll call family members out in Minnesota. Now I'll
ask them who they're supporting. I'll try to convince them.
A question I got was, why isn't she running for
another term as lieutenant governor? What makes you want to
run for the US Senate and not another term because
you could easily did that for sure.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
And I will tell you I am, you know, again,
so proud of the work that Governor Walls and I
have done together.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
And people are used to Tim and Peggy and the.
Speaker 4 (23:14):
Walls planting again administration, right, but I think it was time,
you know, for me to step out and for people
to see this is the Peggy Flant again for US
Senate campaign. Senator Tina Smith, who is retiring, has been
just an absolute incredible.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Leader for our states.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
And when I think about the work that I've been
able to do, you know, at the school board and
the State House, a children's defense fund. As lieutenant governor,
I think it's now time to bring that experience to Washington,
d C. I have no doubt that Tim Walls will
pick a great LG candidate, and I will cheer them on.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
I will lift them up, but maybe.
Speaker 5 (23:57):
A little jealous, like that's my seat, I mean, I
will I know that the governor is really good at
sharance nacks, so you know, like that may I'm maybe
a little bit jealous of at And it is different, right,
Like you run as a team and so being out here,
you know, on my own is you know, is a
different kind of experience.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
But I will tell you running for US Senate is
one of the hardest things I've ever done in my
life and is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing
right now. So I know that this is, uh, this
is my path, this is the seat. Once it opened up,
I was like, this is what I'm supposed to do.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
I really felt called.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
To do it absolutely, And that kind of answers the
question of another person asked, why not precede Governor Walls
and become governor yourself?
Speaker 2 (24:39):
And that that kind of answers that.
Speaker 4 (24:41):
Well, yeah, and I think the you know, Governor Walls
is running for a third term. I'm cheering them on
and and I think the fights that I want to
fight are in Washington. It is bringing a little bit
more Minnesota to Washington, d C. I think that's what's
needed and necessary. I've got a good track record of
delivering on affordability for families. I don't back down from
a fight. I am small, but I am mighty, and
(25:04):
we got to take it to Donald Trump and to
the Republicans in Congress who have completely forgotten so many Americans.
Our job is to remind them who they represent and
what's at stake.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Yeah, and there's no one better to do that but you.
This whole midterm series, I haven't vocally advocated for a candidate,
but I want to give you opportunity. What's your campaign
website and what's the actions people should take?
Speaker 4 (25:27):
Sure absolutely so you can go to Peggy Flanagan dot
com to sign up to contribute, to volunteer. You know,
we have got phone bankers all across the country. There's
lots of opportunities for you here and then if you're
in Minnesota, would love to see you on our loud,
clear voice tour. We've got thirty eight cities all across
(25:47):
the state. Visit our website for more information. Love to
see you on the trail.
Speaker 1 (25:51):
Absolutely, And I have to ask you this question. I
have to how do you feel about Michael Lindell potentially
running for governor?
Speaker 4 (26:00):
He would be welcomed to the race. He is an
interesting fellow. And what an incredible contrast between the good
work of governors and walls and the hot mess that
is Mike Lindell.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
You want to know a hot mess, Lieutenant governor. This
is unrelated, but I have to bring it up. I
tried hot dish in it an admiration for the governor
in yourself, and I have to say I've never seen
anything like it. Do you make hot dish?
Speaker 3 (26:33):
I do?
Speaker 4 (26:34):
And in fact, I've got a wild rice hot dish
recipe that if folks make a contribution, we will we
will send it to them. But hot dish is really
just uh it's casse role. But in Minnesota we call
it a hot dish.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
And so you can foot cream of mushroom soup in it,
Tater todd screen beans, you know, hamburger.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
It is a Minnesota staple. And and one of my
favorite foods. You know, it gets cold here, so you
gotta warm yourself up with the hot dish.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
The one I had first. That's why it's a hot mess.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
It was like it was, And then I had one
that was really great, and I'm going to eat that tonight.
That's actually a good idea. But yes, and so you're
you're out on the campaign tro. What's your tour called?
Speaker 3 (27:18):
Once again, Loud Clear Voice Tour.
Speaker 4 (27:22):
Clear that is based on my native name is Gigi
Wavin Amukoy, which means speaks in a loud and clear
voice woman, and so loud clear Voice Tour, it just works.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
That fits you perfectly. That fits you perfectly, and you'll
be out on the campaign tro. Do you know what
city is you'll be in.
Speaker 4 (27:39):
Yeah, there's a whole list that will be available for
folks on the website, but it's every corner of a state.
We are hitting the road. We're going to be in
the urban core, the suburbs greater Minnesota. So tune in
over the next several weeks. We'll probably be nearby in
(28:00):
your town in Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
One hundred percent.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
And I don't know because of how vocally supportive I
am of you that your opponent will come on here,
and for those listening, what differentiates you from your opponents?
Speaker 3 (28:14):
You know, my opponents in the primary.
Speaker 4 (28:16):
I think the choice that's facing people in Minnesota is
really the choice that is facing the Democratic Party overall.
Do you want an institutional, corporate dem who is fueled
by corporate pack money or do you want a progressive
fighter with the track record of delivering for for working folks.
I think that that is that's the difference. And I
(28:39):
think that people understand that they want their politicians to
be beholden to the people and that the seat shouldn't
go to the highest bidder. So that is the you know,
that's the choice in front of folks in Minnesota, and
we're working incredibly hard to make sure that people know
this is a people powered campaign. You can't buy this seat,
(29:01):
and that this is you know, what We're all about
is meeting people where are there at and going on
the road, hearing directly from them and making sure that
I'm bringing all of that those stories that input the
passion the concerns to Washington.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Absolutely, and there's you have no I notice you have
no stronger fighters than the United States senators.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
They love you.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
They cannot wait for you to join them. You have
countless United States Senate endorsement. What's that about.
Speaker 4 (29:28):
I am really honored and humble to have the support
of so many United States Senators who are on the
front lines doing the work right now, and the fact
that they think that I am the best person to
join them is.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
Really really an honor.
Speaker 4 (29:44):
Senator Elizabeth Warren came out and supported us, like right
out of the gate.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
She's been incredible.
Speaker 4 (29:51):
Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed us as well. And then
we had a whole block of senators who are calling
themselves the fight who have weighed in, and that's a
Senator Murphy Murkley, Van Holland and Heinrich and Marky have
all weighed in as well. So these are some of
(30:14):
I think the most effective progressive voices that we have
in our party right now. And I was the first
endorsement that this Fight Club made in this cycle, and
so I'm excited to be able to work with them
in Washington and their support has been absolutely incredible.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
It's gonna be a long fight ahead.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
I'm thankful for you coming on here, and I will
see you at the State Fair.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
I love it. Thanks so much, Noah.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Well, folks, that was an amazing interview, really great interview
speaking with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flannigan. She was not scared
to say anything at all. She was ready, She had
everything ready, and I could not be more proud of
a candidate for the US Senate that repper not only
her state, but the entire country. I think during this
midterm series, you all need to understand that the United
(31:08):
States Senate represents the entire nation. So if she passed
the bill and it gets passed a minimum wage bill
to get minimum wage fifty seventeen dollars an hour, that
goes to you too. It's a federal minimum wage loss.
So I'm extremely I'm so thankful for the Lieutenant Governor
coming on here today.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
Now you know.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
And No de Barrosso is a production of iHeartMedia and
partnership with Recent Choice Media
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