January 1, Democrat Senate Candidate Pushed Taxpayer Cash for ‘Booty Bump’ Drug Kits

Wyatt’s Take

• Minnesota lieutenant governor Peggy Flanagan pushed $100 million in state grants to a nonprofit handing out rectal drug kits.
• The same Democrat now running for Senate claims she had nothing to do with Minnesota’s other fraud scandals.
• Her GOP opponent says the lieutenant governor cannot dodge responsibility for where the money went.

Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan helped promote state funding for a nonprofit that distributes kits for taking drugs through the rectum.

Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, joined Gov. Tim Walz in announcing $100 million in grants in 2024 to help “Minnesotans facing homelessness.” Recipients included Southside Harm Reduction Services, according to the administration’s announcement.

The Washington Free Beacon reported that Southside distributes “Booty Bump” kits containing syringes, sterile water, drug preparation supplies, lubricant, and an informational booklet. “Booty bumping” refers to consuming drugs through the rectum.

The administration said Southside provides harm reduction services through “outreach to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness who use drugs, primarily in or near Minneapolis and St. Paul.”

The announcement did not mention the kits. “Services include syringe exchange, naloxone distribution, education, rapid HIV testing and referrals to social services including housing,” it said.

At the time, Flanagan said the funding would “ensure that everyone can access the supports they need to find and secure safe, stable housing. Together with DHS we are continuing towards our mission of preventing and ending homelessness.”

Her support for the funding contrasts with her recent efforts to distance herself from responsibility for Minnesota’s separate fraud scandals.

Asked whether she took “any ownership over the fraud” in Minnesota, Flanagan said, “The governor has been very clear that the buck stops with him.”

“He was the one who had oversight here. I’ve led on issues like paid family and medical leave, nation-leading child tax credit, making sure that kids get breakfast and lunch at school. Those are the things and those are the areas where I took the lead.”

Her Republican opponent, Michele Tafoya, slammed the response.

“My goodness, she was second in charge in this state, and she’s just going to point her finger at Gov. Tim Walz when she demanded to be in the room where everything happened. But, suddenly, she has nothing to do with this. Again, sell it to someone else.”

Flanagan has served as Minnesota’s lieutenant governor for nearly eight years.

Wyatt Matters

Hard-working families in the heartland expect elected leaders to protect public dollars, not waste them on programs that encourage drug use and dodge accountability when scandals hit.