U.S. Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota announced her retirement, setting off a scramble for the open Senate seat. Democrats face an uphill battle in trying to regain control of the Senate, and Smith's decision adds to their challenges.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota announced Thursday that she will not seek re-election in 2026, dealing a setback to Democrats ' hopes of recapturing the Senate . Smith, who made the announcement in a video posted on social media, cited a desire to spend more time with her family after 20 years in public service. Her decision sets the stage for a competitive race to fill her seat, attracting potential candidates from both major political parties.
Democrats, already facing an arduous task in reclaiming control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, will now face the challenge of finding a strong candidate in a state that has become increasingly competitive in recent years. While Minnesota has historically leaned Democratic, no Democrat has won a statewide office since 2006, though a couple of candidates narrowly missed victory in 2022. Smith emphasized that her decision was purely personal and not politically motivated, acknowledging the country's need for strong and progressive leadership. Despite her retirement, Smith plans to dedicate the remaining two years of her term to representing Minnesota's interests in the Senate without the burden of campaigning. She expressed confidence in the state's pool of Democratic leaders, stating that they are ready to step up and continue the work. Smith's previous political experience includes serving as Minnesota's lieutenant governor, chief of staff for both Gov. Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and an executive with Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. She was appointed to the Senate in 2018 to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Al Franken, who resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations, and won a full six-year term in 2020.
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