# Minnesota Senate race takes bizarre turn after dark family history uncovered > Minnesota Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan faces Senate race backlash over grandfather's violent mental health history. - Title: Minnesota Senate race takes bizarre turn after dark family… - Summary: Minnesota Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan faces Senate race backlash over grandfather's violent mental health history. Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Peggy… - Keywords: minnesota, senate, peggy flanagan, michelle tafoya, john jacob hartmann, minnesota star tribune, dnc, lgbtq, native american, senate race, midterm elections, identity politics - Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/minnesota-senate-race-takes-bizarre-turn-dark-family-history-uncovered - Author: Elaine Mallon - Published: 2026-10-17T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: minnesota, senate, peggy flanagan, michelle tafoya, john jacob hartmann, minnesota star tribune, dnc, lgbtq, native american, senate race, midterm elections, identity politics ## Dark family history resurfaces Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan faces backlash over alleged violent mental health history of her grandfather John Jacob Hartmann. > A dark chapter in the family history of Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan has made its way into the race ## Grandfather's troubled history John Jacob Hartmann spent decades in psychiatric custody, escaped twice and was suspected in multiple killings though never charged. > He spent decades in psychiatric custody, escaped twice and was suspected in multiple killings, which was dredged up by Minnesota-based outlet Alpha News ## Alleged crimes and escapes Hartmann escaped to New Mexico where he was suspected in the deaths of a man and woman, later fled to Missouri. > Hartmann was transferred to Anoka State Hospital in 1970, but escaped to New Mexico, where the newspaper reported he was suspected in the deaths of a man and woman ## Grandfather's death Hartmann died on February 6, 1983, when Flanagan was three years old. > Flanagan was three years old when Hartmann died on Feb. 6, 1. 1983 ## Family background Flanagan was raised by a single mother who relied on SNAP benefits and housing assistance, with indigenous father who helped inspire her advocacy for Native American communities. > Flanagan has frequently spoken about her upbringing, including being raised by a single mother who relied on SNAP benefits and housing assistance ## Social media reaction Turning Point USA highlighted the 'violent mental illness in Minnesota Democrat Peggy Flanagan's family' and shared a photo of Flanagan wearing a shirt that says 'Protect trans kids'. > Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet highlighted the 'violent mental illness in Minnesota Democrat Peggy Flanagan's family' ## Campaign impact Neither Flanagan nor Tafoya has publicly commented on the allegations since they resurfaced, but the story has generated significant social media buzz. > Neither Flanagan nor Tafoya has commented publicly on the matter since the decades-old allegations resurfaced ## Key takeaway Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan's campaign faces social media backlash after dark family history of her grandfather's alleged violent mental health issues resurfaced.