Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) announced she would retire from the Senate in 2026, forcing Democrats to defend another seat in the midterm elections.
Minnesota is a Democratic-leaning state, with Smith winning a full term in 2020 by 5 points against her Republican challenger. But her decision to retire will force the party to stretch its resources even further across the map without an incumbent in a growing number of swing states.
Last month, Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) also announced he would not run for another term in Michigan, a perennial battleground.
“Minnesota is in play, and we play to win. Minnesotans deserve a Senator who will fight for lower taxes, economic opportunity, and safer communities,” Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement.
Smith said her decision to retire was not driven by political calculations, citing a desire to spend more time with her grandchildren in Minneapolis. She has served in the Senate since 2018, when she was appointed to replace scandal-plagued Sen. Al Franken.
“This decision is not political. It is entirely personal,” she said in a video announcing her retirement.
Smith’s decision buoys Republican hopes of maintaining their Senate majority next year. They have a less favorable map than in the 2024 elections, when they picked up four seats.
But several vulnerable GOP incumbents plan to run for reelection, including Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
In Minnesota, Smith’s retirement has already sparked Democratic jockeying for her seat. Gov. Tim Walz, the sitting governor who ran for vice president in the 2024 election, is among those considering a run, according to Politico.
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Meanwhile, his lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, announced on social media Thursday that she intends to run, with a formal announcement to be made later this month.
“We have a strong bench in Minnesota and I’m confident that we’ll keep her seat blue,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement.
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), the House majority whip, downplayed speculation he might seek the Republican nomination.
