I’ve decided not to run for re-election to the Senate in 2026.
This job has been the honor of a lifetime. For the rest of my term, I’ll work as hard as I can for Minnesotans and our country.
Thank you so much, Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/3sWVib8nKJ
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) February 13, 2025
WASHINGTON – Democratic Minnesota Senator Tina Smith announces she won’t run for reelection in 2026.
She says she made the decision since her two sons and four grandchildren are in the Minneapolis area and her father is turning 95 this summer.
“After 20 years of hard and rewarding work in the public sector, I’m ready to spend more time with my family. This decision is not political. It is entirely personal,” Smith said.
The senator adds she will have more time in her nearly two years left in office devoted to her job since she won’t have to campaign. She believes there are plenty of people to fill her shoes.
“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’m excited to make room for them to move forward,” Smith explained.
In 2006 Smith left her job at Planned Parenthood to serve as chief of staff to then Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and ran his campaign for governor in 2010. Smith became former Governor Mark Dayton’s chief of staff in 2011 and became his Lieutenant Governor in 2015. Dayton appointed Smith to fill former Senator Al Franken’s seat in 2017 when he resigned due to allegations of sexual misconduct.
Democratic Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan says on social media she intends to run for Senate and will make a formal announcement later this month.
I love Minnesota and my intention is to run for U.S. Senate and continue to serve the people of this state. I’ll make a formal announcement later this month. In the meantime, I’m talking with community and family and friends. I will have more to say soon.
— Peggy Flanagan (@peggyflanagan) February 13, 2025
