Senate candidate Flanagan deflates report that she inflated her academic credentials
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Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Peggy Flanagan provided evidence Wednesday of her membership in an academic honor society, undermining a national publication’s report that she inflated her credentials.
The jarring turn followed a story in the Wall Street Journal earlier in the day that said Flanagan did not qualify to be a member of Phi Beta Kappa when she graduated from college. The society contacted Flanagan’s campaign to provide proof of her membership since 2002, the year she graduated from the University of Minnesota.
“I imagine that it's because they saw the graduation program, which didn't indicate it,” Flanagan told Fox 9 in response to the Journal report. She said it was inaccurate reporting and said she’s been a member since 2002.
Flanagan’s campaign shared a screenshot of her membership status.
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The campaign also shared a statement from the Chief Operating Officer of Phi Beta Kappa.
“I can verify that Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, having been inducted in 2002 at the University of Minnesota,” said Amber Cox, according to the campaign statement.
The entire episode underscores how Minnesota’s Senate race could be climbing on the national radar for Republicans as they cling to a narrow majority and risk losses elsewhere. Opposition research, a fixture of campaigns, tends to filter out when races are seen as competitive as recent polling has. More outside spending targeting Flanagan also has flowed in lately after a sleepy campaign since she and Republican Michele Tafoya notched their nominations in August.
The Journal’s story was based on a comment Flanagan made during a 2016 hearing, when she served in the Legislature.
According to the Legislature’s daily online update, Session Daily, Flanagan said she graduated with the honor during an education innovation hearing.
“Everything changed, there was a switch, something clicked,” she said. “I graduated Phi Beta Kappa because I saw myself reflected in my teacher and I saw myself reflected in my curriculum.”
The Journal reported that the commencement program for Flanagan’s 2002 University of Minnesota class did not list Flanagan as an honors student.
It’s clear, however, that the Flanagan-Tafoya race is attracting more attention in recent days.
In recent weeks, national groups have spent $1.1 million against Flanagan. In total, there have been around $2.7 million in independent expenditures spent on this general election. That pales in comparison to many other tightly contested Senate races nationwide.
