Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., on Monday made an endorsement in a contested Democratic primary to replace Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who has launched a gubernatorial bid.

Smith backed Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in a video shared with Politico, saying “I know that right now there is no one that I trust more to stand with Minnesota than Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.” Flanagan faces Rep. Angie Craig for the Senate nod.

The Democratic nomination opened for a non-incumbent after Klobuchar launched her bid, filling the void left by Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., dropping his bid for a third term.

Walz made his decision in the wake of the ongoing Somali fraud scandal in which independent journalists highlighted the bevy of allegedly fraudulent daycare centers receiving public funds.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.