Tafoya, Flanagan battle in Minnesota Senate race

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Minnesota's new senator will be a trailblazer. And they'll figure into the majority math.

Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat didn’t attract the loads of outside spending or a constant parade of prominent party officials as other battleground contests.

But the election featuring Democratic nominee Peggy Flanagan and Republican nominee Michele Tafoya still mattered to the Senate math. The chamber majority at stake Tuesday had Democrats depending on a Minnesota win and Republicans eyeing a surprise pickup.

Minnesota is one of 11 states with an open seat. Democratic Sen. Tina Smith is stepping away after this term.

With several historically Republican seats in play, Minnesota made for an intriguing possibility.

But the...