Flanagan's Phi Beta Kappa Claim Disputed After Wall Street Journal Report; Campaign Accounts Differ

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, faces scrutiny over her claim to have graduated Phi Beta Kappa, following a Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday. The Journal asked her campaign on October 12 to substantiate her membership. Eight days later, spokeswoman Alexandra Fetissoff said Flanagan was nominated but could not afford the application fees. Flanagan made the claim at a March 2016 legislative hearing about teachers who share students' backgrounds. The Journal also reported that her state biography suggests two college majors, though she earned one major and a minor. The Hill later reported that the campaign reversed course and confirmed she is a member. Flanagan faces Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, for the seat of retiring Sen. Tina Smith.

Right-leaning outlets Breitbart and the Daily Wire lead with the Journal report and say Flanagan falsely claimed membership. Breitbart adds the biography detail; the Daily Wire adds the hearing quote, the $99 fee and the Tafoya race. The Hill, an alternative source, leads with the campaign's reversal and says membership was confirmed, which conflicts with the right-leaning accounts. Left-leaning outlets had not reported the story at the time of writing.