Smith won’t seek reelection to U.S. Senate in 2026

Smith’s decision will undoubtedly shake up Minnesota’s political scene.

By Luke Sprinkel, Alpha News – February 13, 2025

Sen. Tina Smith will not seek reelection to the United States Senate, dealing a blow to Democrats’ hopes of retaking the Senate in 2026.

In a video posted on social media Thursday morning, Smith announced her decision saying she has loved serving in the U.S. Senate and she is ready to spend more time with her family after many years of working in the public sector.

Smith said that she will use the remaining two years of her six-year Senate term “working as hard as I can to represent your interests in the United States Senate and make sure that your voices are heard. And also, since I don’t have to worry about running a reelection campaign, I can focus entirely on this job right now.”

In her video message, the Minnesota senator said “we have a deep bench of political talent in Minnesota; a group of leaders that are more than ready to pick up the work and carry us forward. And I am excited to make room for them to move forward.”

Prior to her service in the Senate, Smith—a strong proponent abortion, was vice president for external affairs at what was then Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota from 2003 to 2006.

Smith also worked as an aide to various DFL politicians in Minnesota, including serving as Gov. Mark Dayton’s chief of staff. In 2014, she was selected by then-Gov. Mark Dayton to be his running mate in that year’s gubernatorial election, an election Dayton won.

After serving as lieutenant governor for several years, Smith became one of Minnesota’s two U.S. senators in January of 2018 when Dayton appointed her to fill the Senate seat that was left vacant following the resignation of Al Franken.

Smith subsequently won a special election in November of 2018 to serve the remaining two years of Franken’s six-year term. In 2020, Smith was elected to a full six-year term when she defeated Republican Jason Lewis by roughly only 5 points.

Smith’s decision not to seek reelection will undoubtedly shake up Minnesota’s political scene. In particular, Smith’s announcement will likely produce a domino-effect of DFLers announcing their candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Smith.

At present, Gov. Tim Walz is weighing whether he will run for a third term as governor. However, Smith’s announcement could prompt the embattled Walz to change course and run for U.S. Senate instead. Walz is currently facing a possible federal investigation into his involvement—or lack thereof—of Minnesota’s multi-million dollar fraud problems that arose during his tenure as governor.

Other DFLers such as Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon, House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman, and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy are viewed as some of the major DFLers who may seek higher office in 2026.

Given Smith’s announcement, the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Minnesota will be the first U.S. Senate election in Minnesota since 2006 that does not feature an incumbent senator. With no incumbent running, the upcoming election may develop into a close race between the DFL and the GOP.

Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate election in Minnesota since Norm Coleman defeated Walter Mondale in 2002.

PHOTO CREDIT: dailykos.com

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The New York Post and Center of the American Experiment reports contributed to this article.