Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Peggy Flanagan’s grandfather’s history resurfaces in Minnesota Senate race
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is running for the US Senate against former sports reporter Michelle Tafoya.
The race is for the seat held by Democrat Tina Smith, who is retiring.
Old accounts have brought attention to Flanagan’s maternal grandfather, John Jacob Hartmann, who spent decades in psychiatric custody and escaped twice.
Newspaper accounts linked him to several killings, but he was never charged in those cases.
Neither candidate has commented publicly since the allegations resurfaced, which has prompted discussion on social media.
The election is only weeks away, but it is unclear whether the allegations will affect voters’ views of Flanagan.
A report about Peggy Flanagan’s maternal grandfather has drawn attention during her Minnesota Senate campaign.
Alpha News reported that John Jacob Hartmann spent decades in psychiatric custody, escaped twice and was suspected in multiple killings, but was never charged.
Flanagan is Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and is running against former television sports reporter Michelle Tafoya for the seat held by retiring Democrat Tina Smith.
Neither candidate had commented publicly on the allegations, according to Fox News.
- Who
- Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and a Democratic Senate candidate, and her grandfather, John Jacob Hartmann.
- What
- Hartmann’s history in psychiatric custody, escapes and suspicions in multiple killings resurfaced during Flanagan’s campaign.
- When
- The report resurfaced in the weeks before the midterm elections. Hartmann died on Feb. 6, 1983.
- Where
- Minnesota; Hartmann was held at psychiatric hospitals in the state and escaped to New Mexico.
- Why
- Alpha News reported on Hartmann’s history using old newspaper accounts and court records.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hartmann was committed after his wife filed a petition claiming he was mentally ill and dangerous.
Hartmann was transferred to Anoka State Hospital and later escaped to New Mexico.
Hartmann died.
Alpha News reported on Hartmann’s history, bringing it into the Minnesota Senate race.
- Candidate
- Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota lieutenant governor
- Opponent
- Michelle Tafoya, former television sports reporter
- Seat
- Held by retiring Democrat Tina Smith
- Grandfather
- John Jacob Hartmann
- Commitment
- Nov. 1, 1951
- Death
- Feb. 6, 1983
What people are saying
violent mental illness in Minnesota Democrat Peggy Flanagan's family
at a time when that didn’t happen a lot