History of Peggy Flanagan in Timeline

Peggy Flanagan is an American politician and activist. She has served as the 50th lieutenant governor of Minnesota since 2019. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, she previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. Flanagan is known for her community organizing and advocacy for Native American rights.

September 22, 1979: Peggy Flanagan's Birth

On September 22, 1979, Peggy Flanagan was born.

2002: Early Community Organizing and Wellstone Campaign

In 2002, Peggy Flanagan began her career as a community organizer, working on U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone's reelection campaign.

2002: Graduation from the University of Minnesota

In 2002, Peggy Flanagan graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in child psychology and American Indian Studies.

2004: First Candidacy and Victory

Peggy Flanagan won her first election in 2004, securing a seat on the board of Minneapolis Public Schools.

2005: Elected to Minneapolis Public Schools Board

Flanagan was elected to the Minneapolis Public Schools Board in 2005.

2008: Campaign for State Representative

In 2008, Flanagan campaigned for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, challenging incumbent Joe Mullery in the Democratic primary, but withdrew due to her mother's health.

2009: End of Term on School Board

In 2009, Flanagan's term on the Minneapolis Public Schools Board came to an end.

2010: Reappointment to School Board

Flanagan was reappointed to the Minneapolis Public Schools Board, serving a brief term.

2011: End of Second Term on School Board

In 2011, Flanagan's second term on the school board ended.

2012: Denise Juneau Addresses the DNC

In 2012, Denise Juneau became the first Native American woman to address the Democratic National Convention.

2014: Advocacy for Minimum Wage Increase

In 2014, Flanagan advocated for successfully raising Minnesota's minimum wage.

November 3, 2015: Special Election Victory

On November 3, 2015, Peggy Flanagan was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in a special election.

2015: Elected to Minnesota House of Representatives

Peggy Flanagan was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2015.

July 28, 2016: Address at the Democratic National Convention

Peggy Flanagan addressed the 2016 Democratic National Convention, becoming the second Native American woman to do so.

November 2016: Native Women in Minnesota Politics

Three other Native women ran for seats in the Minnesota legislature: Mary Kelly Kunesh-Podein, Jamie Becker-Finn, and Chilah Brown.

2016: Training at The Management Center

Flanagan started training at The Management Center in 2016 to help social justice leaders.

January 2017: Kunesh-Podein and Becker-Finn Join the House

Mary Kelly Kunesh-Podein and Jamie Becker-Finn were elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in November 2016 and assumed office in January 2017.

2017: Formation of Minnesota House Native American Caucus

In 2017, Flanagan, Susan Allen, Mary Kelly Kunesh-Podein, and Jamie Becker-Finn formed the Minnesota House Native American Caucus.

2017: Flanagan Announces Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor

Peggy Flanagan announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor in 2017, joining Tim Walz's gubernatorial campaign.

2017: End of Flanagan's First Marriage

Peggy Flanagan's marriage to Tim Hellendrung ended in 2017.

January 12, 2018: Flanagan Announces Relationship with Tom Weber

Peggy Flanagan announced her relationship with Minnesota Public Radio News host Tom Weber on January 12, 2018. Consequently, MPR News reassigned Weber to avoid conflicts of interest.

November 2018: Weber's Reassignment during Election

Tom Weber was reassigned by MPR News to avoid covering topics related to the November 2018 election due to his relationship with Peggy Flanagan.

2018: First Election as Lieutenant Governor

Peggy Flanagan was elected lieutenant governor of Minnesota in 2018 as Tim Walz's running mate.

September 2019: Flanagan Marries Tom Weber

Peggy Flanagan married Tom Weber in September 2019.

2019: Start of Lieutenant Governorship

In 2019, Peggy Flanagan began serving as the 50th lieutenant governor of Minnesota.

February 2020: National Congress of American Indians Award

In February 2020, Peggy Flanagan received the Native American Leadership Award from the National Congress of American Indians.

July 2020: Dr. B. Robert Lewis Award

Peggy Flanagan received the Dr. B. Robert Lewis Award from the Minnesota Public Health Association in July 2020 for her work on public health equity.

2020: Bemidji State University Recognition

Bemidji State University named Peggy Flanagan a Distinguished Minnesotan in 2020.

2022: Reelection as Lieutenant Governor

Peggy Flanagan was reelected as lieutenant governor in 2022 with Tim Walz.

2024: Potential Governorship

If Tim Walz wins the 2024 US presidential election as the Democratic Party candidate for vice president, Flanagan would become the first female governor in Minnesota and the first Native American woman to serve as governor in the country.