Minnesota Senate candidate's grandfather spent decades in psychiatric care

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 15:38 · Archive

Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan's grandfather spent decades in psychiatric custody and was suspected in multiple killings.

Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's Democratic lieutenant governor running for Senate, faces scrutiny after details of her grandfather's troubled history emerged this week. Minnesota-based outlet Alpha News reported that John Jacob Hartmann spent decades in psychiatric custody, escaped twice and was suspected in multiple killings, though never charged. Supported by old newspaper accounts and court records, the allegations were made in Minneapolis newspapers throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Flanagan was three years old when Hartmann died in February 1983.

The reporting emerged weeks before midterm elections in which Flanagan faces former television sports reporter Michelle Tafoya for the Senate seat of retiring Democrat Tina Smith. Neither Flanagan nor Tafoya has commented publicly on the matter. Some conservative commentators have amplified the story on social media, though it remains unclear whether voters will be influenced by allegations concerning a long-dead relative.

Flanagan has frequently spoken about her upbringing, including being raised by a single mother who relied on SNAP benefits and housing assistance, and the influence of her indigenous father, a tribal land rights activist who inspired her advocacy for Native American communities.

How it is being reported

• Minnesota Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan’s dark family history uncoveredReports detail how MN Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan's grandfather spent decades in psychiatric care and was suspected in four killings.New York Post · 19 Oct, 15:20
• Minnesota Senate race takes bizarre turn after dark family history uncoveredMinnesota Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan's grandfather spent decades in psychiatric custody and was suspected in multiple killings, records show.Fox News · 18 Oct, 01:30

In this story: Peggy Flanagan · John Jacob Hartmann · Michelle Tafoya · Tina Smith · Minnesota · Alpha News

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