Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan speaks as Gov. Tim Walz, right, listens. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
"Here are the facts: Peggy Flanagan was already a bad general election candidate, and this has made it even worse," the operative went on, adding, "she owes the voters answers about what she knew and when."
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., whose district includes the Twin Cities suburbs, told Fox News Digital that "Peggy Flanagan is just as much of a failure as Tim Walz."
He noted that Flanagan’s primary opponent, Democratic Rep. Angie Craig, "isn’t much better."
"Both of these candidates sat idly by while billions were stolen from hardworking taxpayers in Minnesota. And just like Tim, they ought to reconsider their candidacy," said Emmer.
Walz, who served as former Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in 2024, announced on Monday that he was withdrawing from seeking a third term as governor in light of the fraud scandal.
"As I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all," Walz wrote in a statement. "Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences."
OVER 1,000 ARRESTED IN ‘MASSIVE’ MINNESOTA OPERATION, INCLUDING MURDERERS, RAPISTS, PEDOPHILES
Minnesota Lt. Gov. and Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan appeared in a hijab on Somali TV as the state reels from a massive fraud scandal tied to a Somali-run nonprofit. (Somali TV Minnesota)
Byler added that "what’s hard to take seriously is Republicans talking about accountability while Donald Trump has pardoned 27 corporate fraudsters and fired the Inspectors General whose job it is to police fraud," adding that "Republicans are going to have to answer for that."
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On her campaign website, Flanagan touts her record as lieutenant governor, including expanding Minnesota’s paid family and medical leave program and investments in education, healthcare and housing.
The Minnesota primary will be on August 11.
Fox News Digital also reached out to Walz and Craig for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser and Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/walzs-lieutenant-governor-progressive-senate-hopeful-slammed-leadership-amid-somali-fraud-crisis