Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is endorsing Rep. Angie Craig in the Minnesota Senate primary, which is already dividing high-profile Democrats.
Buttigieg is the latest former — and potentially future — presidential contender to weigh in on the race. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., endorsed Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan last month in the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.
Buttigieg's decision to back Craig is his first foray into a contested Senate primary this election cycle, as Democrats contend with multiple Senate nominating contests across the country.
“Angie is a leader, a fighter, and a skilled legislator who is highly effective in serving Minnesotans well,” Buttigieg said in a statement shared with NBC News. “The Senate needs more people like Angie — who is unafraid to go anywhere and talk to anyone."
Buttigieg went on to describe Craig as "a forward-looking Democrat who has been consistent in standing up to whoever it takes in order to get things done for her constituents, and I’m proud to endorse her for the U.S. Senate.”
Craig said in a statement that she was "honored" to have Buttigieg's endorsement and described him as "a leader who knows how to put people first — from ensuring travelers are treated fairly and transparently to investing in safer roads, stronger supply chains and infrastructure that actually works for everyone.”
The Democratic primary has already divided leaders in the party, including in the Senate. Craig has endorsements from Sens. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Andy Kim of New Jersey.
Flanagan, meanwhile, has endorsements from high-profile progressives, including Sanders, and Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico.
Democrats are favored in the open-seat race — Republicans have not won a statewide election in Minnesota since 2006. But the GOP has been optimistic in recent years that they can make the state competitive, and former Vice President Kamala Harris won it by 4 percentage points last year.
Former professional basketball player Royce White is running on the Republican side after having lost to Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar last year by 16 points.
