WASHINGTON – The State Fair is the unofficial start of campaign season, so Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are getting serious in their fight to be the one who runs under the DFL Party banner for retiring Sen. Tina Smith’s seat.

Both candidates — veteran officeholders with impressive credentials — are well positioned to succeed Smith as Republicans are considered the underdogs in this contest. But first, they must battle each other for the support of Democratic voters in the state in what is expected to be a very costly and bruising primary fight.

The contest has been fairly subdued as both candidates have been focusing on raising campaign cash and establishing networks of support. But things are going to be noisier.

Craig, D-2nd District, has during her six years in the U.

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