Democratic Sen. Tina Smith will not run for re-election in Minnesota
Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., announced Thursday she won’t run for re-election and will instead retire after the end of her term in 2026.
In a short video posted to social media, Smith told her supporters: “I wanted you to hear directly from me that I have decided not to run for re-election to the United States Senate in 2026.”
In her video, Smith notes that while she enjoyed the role, she is “ready to spend more time with my family,” adding that her grandchildren and children have moved to Minneapolis and that her father is turning 95 years old this summer.
“This decision is not political, it is entirely personal. But it’s not lost on me that our country is in need of strong progressive leadership right now, maybe more than ever,” she said.
Smith, 66, was first appointed to the Senate in 2017 to fill the vacancy left by then-Democratic Sen. Al Franken’s resignation in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations. Smith won a special election the following year and then another election in 2020 to serve a full six year term.
She has been a longtime fixture in Minnesota politics since well before she joined the Senate, serving as the state’s lieutenant governor and, before that, as a top aide to key Democratic politicians.
Smith is the second Senate Democrat to announce their retirement ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, following Michigan Sen. Gary Peters. That means Democrats will have to defend at least two open seats as they face an uphill climb to take control of the Senate.
With its current split between 53 Republicans and 47 senators who caucus with Democrats, the party needs a net gain of four seats to control the chamber, since Vice President JD Vance controls the tie-breaking vote.
But Democrats signaled that they are confident they will hold onto Smith’s seat in Minnesota, where Vice President Kamala Harris won by 4 points in November. Republicans last won a statewide election there in 2006.
“No Republican has won a Minnesota Senate race in over 20 years and Democrats will continue to hold this seat in 2026,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson David Bergstein.
President Donald Trump’s showing in Minnesota in 2024 was the best by a Republican presidential candidate in the state in 20 years, at just under 47% of the vote.
The unexpected opening could mean a crowded primary among Democrats seeking higher office.
“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,” Smith said in her video announcement.
“I’m excited to make room for them to move forward.”
