Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith announced Thursday that he would not seek re-election in 2026, forcing Democrats to defend another open seat in the middle of next year, and set the goal of regaining the Senate majority. It’s made it even more difficult.
“I have decided not to run for re-election to the Senate in 2026,” Smith said in a social media post. “This job has been a lifelong honor. For the rest of my period, I will work as hard as I can for Minnesotan and our country. Thank you very much, Minnesota.”
Smith was appointed to the Senate in 2018 and continued to replace former Senator Al Franken after resigning over allegations of sexual misconduct. She won a special election later that year to serve Franken’s term and was re-elected in 2020 for a six-year term.
Top political handicapper reveals the possibility that Democrats will regain Senate majority
Senate Republicans vowed to flip Smith’s seat in the blue-sick Minnesota.
“Minnesota is playing, we play to win. Minnesotan deserves a senator who fights for lower taxes, economic opportunities and a safer community,” said National Republican Senator. Senate President of the Committee (NRSC) Tim Scott said in a statement to FOX News.
But the Senate Democrats’ campaign division quickly pledged to sit in the party’s hands.
First on FOX: Senate GOP Campaign Committee spotlight “Team Effort”
“Republicans have not won the Minnesota Senate race for more than 20 years. Democrats will continue to hold this seat in 2026,” said David Bergstein, a spokesman for the Democratic Senators Campaign Committee (DSCC). He emphasized it in a statement to Fox News.
Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader in New York, a top Democrat at the Chamber of Commerce, said Smith was “a surprising senator in her commitment to Minnesota and the country – smart, caring, tireless.” I praised it.
Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced Thursday that she will not be competing in another term in the 2026 midterm elections. (Getty Images)
“I will miss her leadership and friendship in the Senate, but there is no doubt that her legacy of service will continue to be inspirational. We have a strong bench in Minnesota. “Schumer predicted. .
Smith has announced that he will be the second Democrat in the Senate, following Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, a battlefield nation in the Midwest, to stop running for reelection in the mid-term.
Senate Republicans jump out to start fast with this key campaign metric
Senate Republicans enjoyed a lucrative map as they flipped four seats from blue to red in the 2024 cycle, earning a 53-47 majority in the chamber. Early readings on the 2026 map show that they will continue to attack in some states, while others will be forced to defend themselves.
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Democratic Senators Campaign Committee, was interviewed by Fox News Digital at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19, 2024 (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
In addition to Michigan’s open seat, the GOP will target first-term Senator John Ossoff and Senator Jeanne Shaheen of Swing State New Hampshire on the battlefield in Georgia.
But Democrats are set to attack GOP Sen. Susan Collins for reelection and Republican Sen. Tom Tillis for reelection in 2026 in North Carolina.
Trump-backed 2024 GOP Senate candidates moved towards another run in 2026
This week, Cook Report, a nonpartisan political handicapper, rated Minnesota as “probably a Democrat.” This is because the 2026 cycle revealed the first reading of the Senate majority fight.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz served as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running buddy on the 2024 Democratic National Ticket and took office on social media after Smith’s news.
Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate in the 2024 election, will respond on August 21, 2024 during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
“Tina has always been working to improve people’s lives. She lowers the prices of insulin, improves access to mental health services, passes historical climate laws, and the party’s party for freedom of reproduction. Champion. Minnesotan misses having her in the Senate.”
Click to get the Fox News app
Walz, who is eligible for reelection in 2026 for his third term as Minnesota governor, may now be interested in his state’s Open Senate seat.
In an announcement of a video she posted to social media, Democrats said, “We have a deep bench of political talent in Minnesota. A group of leaders ready to pick up the work and move forward. And I was a sought after. I’m excited, to make room for them to move forward.”
Peggy Flanagan t said in a social media post, “I love Minnesota. My intention is to run for the US Senate and continue to serve the people of this state. I’m making a formal announcement later this month. ”
There is also speculation that Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar, a member of the so-called team, could move to run for the Senate.
Paul Steinhauser is a political reporter based in New Hampshire.
Source link
