‘Buck’ stops at Walz: Flanagan ducks Minnesota fraud blame as GOP rival exposes glaring contradiction

What happened: In a Friday debate, Republican Senate nominee Michele Tafoya pressed Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan on Minnesota fraud schemes. Flanagan said responsibility rested with Gov. Tim Walz, saying the buck stops with him. Key numbers: Investigators say fraud schemes totaled up to $9 billion. Flanagan has been lieutenant governor since 2019. The general election is Nov. 3. Why it matters: Tafoya used the exchange to argue Flanagan, as second in command, shares blame, while Flanagan pointed to Walz's oversight role and her own record. Tafoya also proposed fraud penalties.

In a Friday debate, Republican Senate nominee Michele Tafoya pressed Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan on Minnesota fraud schemes. Flanagan said responsibility rested with Gov. Tim Walz, saying the buck stops with him.

Tafoya used the exchange to argue Flanagan, as second in command, shares blame, while Flanagan pointed to Walz's oversight role and her own record. Tafoya also proposed fraud penalties.