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Two Democratic contenders in an intense and expensive race for their party’s U.S. Senate nomination meet Monday in an MPR News debate, the final head-to-head showdown in advance of the Aug. 11 primary.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig are locked in a competitive race for a seat seen as a must for Democrats to hold if they want a chance at reclaiming the Senate majority. DFL U.S. Sen. Tina Smith is retiring after this term.

The debate begins at 11 a.m. Listen on MPR News stations or watch it below.

Flanagan has the DFL Party’s endorsement in the race and is part of a clutch of candidates nationally favored by the progressive wing of the party, but Craig has her own roster of prominent endorsers and a record of winning tough races.

Craig and Flanagan and their allies have combined to spend more than $25 million already, much of it on ads.

Republicans also have a multicandidate primary to determine who will fill the GOP line on November’s ballot. Former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, 

who has the party’s convention endorsement

, is being challenged by former TV sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya, former pro basketball player Royce White, Navy veteran Tom Weiler and others.

The November ballot will also include third-party candidates Libertarian Rebecca Whiting and Marisa Simonetti, who is running as an independent.

Check back after the debate for a recap of what happened.

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The debate hosted by MPR News between Angie Craig and Peggy Flanagan comes as the Aug. 11 primary for U.S. Senate nears.

Two politicians speak at different events.

Watch: MPR News hosts final Angie Craig, Peggy Flanagan head-to-head debate

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