Outside money pouring into Minnesota campaigns, but not as much as expected

With an open U.S. Senate seat featuring a race between DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya, many political analysts projected this could be a record-setting year for campaign cash pouring in from outside sources.

Republicans were ready to tie Flanagan to rampant state government fraud, and Democrats were ready to tie former NFL broadcaster Tafoya to Trump policies like the Big Beautiful Bill and the war in Iran.

RELATED: Minnesota could be headed for record US Senate race spending

With less than two weeks until Election Day, the race is statistically a toss-up, although Flanagan has a slight advantage ...