Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith has announced that she will not be seeking reelection in 2026, sparking a race for her open seat among potential Democratic and Republican candidates. The decision has opened up an opportunity for individuals such as Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Secretary of State Steve Simon to consider running for the position.
Democrats face a challenging task in regaining control of the Senate, with Smith’s retirement further complicating their efforts. On the Republican side, anti-establishment populist Royce White, who previously ran for the Senate in 2024, has reaffirmed his intention to challenge for the seat in 2026.
Several potential Republican candidates have also been mentioned, including state Rep. Kristin Robbins, state Sens. Karin Housley and Julia Coleman, former state auditor candidate Ryan Wilson, and attorney Chris Madel. Despite the recent competitiveness of Minnesota’s political landscape, no Republican has won statewide office since 2006.
Smith, who succeeded Sen. Al Franken in 2018, cited personal reasons for her decision not to seek reelection and emphasized the need for strong leadership during these challenging times. Fellow Democrats and Senate leaders have applauded her years of service and expressed confidence that her seat will remain in Democratic hands. While some Democrats have already ruled out running for the Senate, others are expected to announce their candidacy in the coming months.
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