ABOUT THIS EPISODE
U.S. Senator Tina Smith is not running for reelection in 2026. The Democrat posted a video to social media this morning saying the decision is "not political -- it's entirely personal,” citing a desire to spend more time with her family in Minnesota.
Smith joined the Senate in 2018, when then-governor Mark Dayton appointed her to fill the seat Al Franken left when he resigned.
Just last week on Politics Friday, Smith told MPR's Politics Editor Brian Bakst she was planning to run again. They sat down again Thursday after the announcement.
Candidates are already throwing their hat in the ring. Less than two hours after Smith said she would not seek re-election, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced her intention to run for the seat.
An open U.S. Senate seat could draw millions of dollars more into the state, which will mean stepped-up campaign field operations for both parties and an avalanche of ads aimed at voters. MPR’s Politics Editor Brian Bakst joined Minnesota Now to talk about what Smith’s retirement means for Minnesota politics in 2026.
