Minnesota’s Democratic Sen. Tina Smith announced on Thursday that she will not seek reelection in 2026, a decision that could lead to a competitive Democratic primary as the party faces a challenging Senate map next year. In a social media post, Smith expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve and stated her commitment to continue working hard for Minnesotans and the country until the end of her term.
This development opens up a Senate seat in Minnesota, a state that has traditionally leaned Democratic but has shown signs of shifting towards the Republican Party in recent elections. Despite President Joe Biden winning the state by 7 points in 2020 and Vice President Kamala Harris by 4 points in 2024, Smith's victory in 2020 was narrower, with a margin of about 5 points.
Smith's decision comes shortly after Michigan Sen. Gary Peters also announced that he would not seek reelection in 2026, adding to the challenges faced by Democrats in the upcoming election cycle. The potential need to defend two open seats in states that trended Republican in 2024 could strain the party's campaign resources and jeopardize their efforts to expand their current Senate minority of 47 seats.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee remains optimistic about retaining the Minnesota Senate seat in 2026, citing the party's longstanding success in the state. However, Smith's announcement has triggered a race among potential Democratic candidates to vie for her seat, mirroring a similar situation unfolding in Michigan following Peters' decision.
Among the contenders for Smith's seat are Minnesota's Democratic lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, who has expressed her intention to run for the Senate. Additionally, Governor Tim Walz, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, is considering a Senate run but has not ruled out seeking a third term as governor in 2026. Other potential Democratic candidates include state Attorney General Keith Ellison, Rep. Angie Craig, and former Rep. Dean Phillips.
