Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith (D) won’t run for reelection in 2026, opening up a seat within the Democratic-leaning state, she introduced Thursday.
Smith mentioned in a video posted to the social platform X that she has “loved” her job as a U.S. senator however needs to spend extra time together with her household, as she has 4 grandchildren.
“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,” she mentioned within the publish. “Thank you so much, Minnesota.”
Smith has served in her Senate seat since 2018 when she was appointed to succeed former Sen. Al Franken (D) following his resignation amid allegations of sexual misconduct. She then gained the particular election that yr to serve for the rest of the time period and was reelected to a full six-year time period in her personal proper in 2020.
Her surprising announcement makes her the second Senate Democrat to announce their 2026 retirement after Michigan Sen. Gary Peters (D) revealed final month that he would not search one other time period. And it leaves an open area for her successor.
Smith mentioned the nation wants “strong, progressive leadership” and the state has a “deep bench of political talent” that is able to choose up the work. She mentioned she’s desirous to make room for them to maneuver up.
Whereas Minnesota has been a key a part of the Democratic coalition for many years, having not elected a Republican senator since 2002, the GOP could eye the seat and try and flip it. President Trump and different Republicans have at instances expressed hope about their future prospects within the state, and Vice President Kamala Harris solely carried it in November by about 4 factors over Trump.
However Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D), Minnesota’s different senator, gained her race in November by greater than 15 factors.
Throughout the Democratic area, the race at the very least initially appears large open. One distinguished Minnesota Democrat, former Rep. Dean Phillips, who ran for the Democratic nomination for president final yr, has mentioned he would not run for Senate in 2026.
Politico reported that Gov. Tim Walz (D), who served as Harris’s operating mate and is in his second time period, is not ruling out a Senate run.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D) posted on X that she loves her state and intends to run for the seat to proceed her service of Minnesota. She mentioned she’ll make a proper announcement later this month however is talking with the group, household and buddies within the meantime.
Punchbowl Information reported that nationwide and state leaders are encouraging Rep. Angie Craig (D) to run for the seat. Axios reported that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D), a member of the progressive “Squad,” is not ruling out a run and shall be “talking with Minnesotans” about the way forward for the seat and the state social gathering.
On the Republican facet, 2024 GOP nominee Royce White has mentioned he’ll run once more in 2026. After Smith’s announcement, White posted “The People Are Coming” and reposted an interview he gave shortly after the election by which he mentioned he would strive once more in two years.
Some of the distinguished Minnesota Republicans appeared to brush off any attainable hypothesis that he would run for the seat. Rep. Tom Emmer (R), the Home majority whip, posted on X that he’s “focused on doing the job I was elected to do,” serving Minnesota’s sixth Congressional District. He mentioned that’s the place he is concentrating his efforts.
Smith mentioned a lot of her household resides in Minneapolis, permitting them to all be collectively, and she or he is grateful to have the ability to spend time with them. She mentioned her determination is just not political and is totally private, however she nonetheless appears ahead to having the ability to give attention to her job as a senator for the subsequent two years.
“I plan to use every single day working as hard as I can to represent your interests in the United States Senate and make sure that your voices are heard,” she mentioned, including that not having to give attention to a reelection marketing campaign will enable her to completely give attention to her job.
Up to date at 12:53 p.m. EST
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Author : LasVegasNews
Publish date : 2025-02-14 06:10:11
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