The Minnesota Star Tribune

Minnesota’s two leading candidates for U.S. Senate have spent much of the campaign arguing over President Donald Trump, fraud in state government and the cost of living. But behind those disputes are substantial differences over the policies each would pursue in Washington.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a Democrat, has called for expanding federal health care programs, dismantling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and reversing many of Trump’s economic policies. Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter and conservative commentator, has advocated for stricter immigration enforcement, changes to the existing health care system and greater scrutiny of government spending.

The candidates are competing to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith in a race that will help determine control of the narrowly divided Senate.

Flanagan has sought to make the election a referendum on Trump’s presidency, while Tafoya has focused heavily on fraud scandals that have plagued Minnesota’s social services programs during Flanagan’s tenure as lieutenant governor.

Yet the candidates’ positions do not always fall neatly along party lines. Tafoya, who received Trump’s endorsement this month, has criticized aspects of his immigration crackdown in Minnesota and grown increasingly skeptical of the war in Iran. She also describes herself as a supporter of abortion rights, though her position differs considerably from Flanagan’s.

The Minnesota Star Tribune examined the candidates’ public statements, policy proposals and records to compare where they stand on eight issues that could confront the state’s next U.S. senator.

Reporting by Sofia Barnett.