2026 United States Senate election in Minnesota
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The 2026 United States Senate election in Minnesota will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Minnesota, concurrently with other elections to the U.S. Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and other state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic Senator Tina Smith is not seeking election to a second full term. Smith was elected to her first full term with 48.74% of the vote in 2020 after winning a special election in 2018 to complete the term of former Senator Al Franken, who resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.[1][2]
This will be the first U.S. Senate election in Minnesota without an incumbent since 2006.[3]
Background
Minnesota is considered a slightly to moderately blue state at the federal and state levels. Kamala Harris won it by four percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, and the last time a Republican won a statewide race was in 2006, when Tim Pawlenty was narrowly reelected governor over DFL nominee Mike Hatch. The most recent Senate election, in 2024, saw DFL incumbent Amy Klobuchar defeat Republican Royce White by nearly 16 points.[4] The most recent election for this seat, held in 2020, saw Smith defeat Republican nominee Jason Lewis by five points.[5] Governor Mark Dayton originally nominated Smith to the seat after incumbent Al Franken resigned; she had been Dayton's lieutenant governor.[6] Smith won the special election to serve the rest of Franken's term in 2018.[7]
Democrats have had considerably more success in the state in recent years. They control all statewide offices, both U.S. Senate seats, and the minimum majority in the Minnesota Senate, while the Minnesota House of Representatives and the U.S. House delegation are both evenly split.[8][9]
Abou Amara, a DFL lawyer and political analyst, told Axios that the "once in a generation" opportunity to win an open U.S. Senate seat will likely fuel a competitive and damaging DFL primary battle between "A-level talent across the ideological spectrum" of the Democratic party.[10]
Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary
Candidates
Declared
- Angie Craig, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)[11]
- Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor of Minnesota (2019–present)[12]
Filed paperwork
- Billy Nord[13]
Withdrawn
- Melisa López Franzen, former minority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2021–2023) from the 49th district (2013–2023)[14]
Declined
- Melvin Carter, mayor of Saint Paul (2017–present) (running for reelection, endorsed Flanagan)[15][16]
- Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General (2019–present) and former U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district (2007–2019) (endorsed Flanagan)[17]
- Al Franken, former U.S. senator (2009–2018)[15] (endorsed Flanagan)[18]
- Jacob Frey, mayor of Minneapolis (2018–present) (running for reelection)[19]
- Andrew Luger, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota (2014–2017, 2022–2025)[20]
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district (2019–present) (running for reelection)[21]
- Kelly Morrison, U.S. representative for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2025–present)[22]
- Dean Phillips, former U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024[15] (endorsed Craig)[23]
- Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State (2015–present)[24]
- Tina Smith, incumbent U.S. senator (2018–present)[2]
- Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota (2019–present) and nominee for vice president in 2024[25]
Endorsements
Angie Craig
- U.S. senators
- Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Senator from Wisconsin (2013–present)[26]
- Ruben Gallego, U.S. Senator from Arizona (2025–present)[27]
- Andy Kim, U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2024–present)[28]
- U.S. representatives
- Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Representative from California's 11th congressional district (1987-present) and former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (2007-2011, 2019-2023)[29]
- Dean Phillips, former U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024[29]
- Mark Takano, U.S. Representative from California's 39th congressional district (2013–present)[30]
- Ritchie Torres, U.S. Representative from New York's 15th congressional district (2021–present)[30]
- Statewide officials
- Joan Growe, former Secretary of State of Minnesota (1975-1999)[29]
- State senators
- Jim Carlson, state senator from the 52nd district (2007-2011, 2013-present)[29]
- Kevin Dahle, former state senator from the 20th district (2008-2011, 2013-2017)[29]
- Grant Hauschild, state senator from the 3rd district (2023-present)[29]
- Ann Johnson Stewart, state senator from the 45th district (2023-2023, 2024-present)[29]
- Matt Klein, state senator fro the 53rd district (2017-present)[29]
- Rob Kupec, state senator from the 4th district (2023-present)[29]
- Matt Little, former state senator from the 58th district (2017-2021)[29]
- Aric Putnam, state senator from the 14th district (2021-present)[29]
- Judy Seeberger, state senator from the 41st district (2023-present)[29]
- State representatives
- Kaela Berg, state representative from the 55B district (2021-present)[29]
- Robert Bierman, state representative from the 56A district (2019-present)[29]
- Ethan Cha, state representative from the 47B district (2023-present)[29]
- Julie Greene, state representative from the 50A district (2025-present)[29]
- John Huot, state representative from the 56B district (2019-present)[29]
- Dave Lislegard, former state representative from the 6B district (2019-2025)[29]
- Liz Reyer, state representative from the 52A district (2021-present)[29]
- Brad Tabke, state representative from the 54A district (2019-2021, 2023-present)[29]
- Bob Vanasek, former state representative from the 25A district (1973-1993) and former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (1987-1992)[29]
- Ryan Winkler, former state representative from the 46A district (2007-2015, 2019-2023) and former Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2019-2023)[29]
- Dan Wolgamott, state representative from the 14B district (2019-present) and former Speaker Pro Tempore of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2023-2025)[29]
- Local officials
- Joe Atkins, Dakota County Commissioner[29]
- Karla Bigham, Washington County Commissioner[29]
- Laurie Halverson, Dakota County Commissioner[29]
- Labor unions
- American Federation of Government Employees[31]
- Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Division 9[32]
- Organizations
- Individuals
- Dave Wellstone, former member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Board of Directors and son of former U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone[36]
Peggy Flanagan
- Executive branch officials
- Deb Haaland, former Secretary of the Interior (2021–2025) and former U.S. Representative from New Mexico's 1st congressional district (2019–2021)[37]
- U.S. senators
- Al Franken, former U.S. senator from Minnesota (2009–2018)[18]
- Elizabeth Warren, U.S. senator from Massachusetts (2013–present)[38]
- Statewide officials
- Julie Blaha, Minnesota State Auditor (2019–present)[39]
- Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General (2019–present)[17]
- State senators
- Liz Boldon, state senator from district 25 (2023–present)[40]
- Erin Maye Quade, district 56 (2023–present)[41]
- Lindsey Port, district 55 (2021–present)[41]
- State representatives
- Mary Frances Clardy, state representative from district 53A (2023–present)[41]
- Nathan Coulter, district 51B (2023–present)[42]
- Brion Curran, district 36B (2023–present)[42]
- Leigh Finke, district 66A (2023-present)[43]
- Cedrick Frazier, district 43A (2021–present)[40]
- Emma Greenman, district 63B (2021–present)[40]
- Jessica Hanson, district 55A (2021–present)[41]
- Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, district 47B (2023–present)[42]
- Athena Hollins, district 66B (2021–present)[42]
- Heather Keeler, district 4A (2021–present)[42]
- Larry Kraft, district 46A (2023–present)[42]
- Jamie Long, district 61B (2019–present)[42]
- Kristi Pursell, district 58A (2023–present)[41]
- Local officials
- Melvin Carter, Mayor of Saint Paul (2018–present)[16]
- Labor unions
- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663[44]
- Organizations
Declined to endorse
- U.S. senators
- Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007–present)[46]
- Tina Smith, U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2018–present)[46]
- U.S. representatives
- Kelly Morrison, U.S. Representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2025–present)[47]
- Statewide officials
- Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State (2015–present)[24]
- Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota (2019–present) and nominee for vice president in 2024[48]
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
| Campaign finance reports for Q2, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Angie Craig (DFL) | $2,486,330 | $670,229 | $1,816,101 |
| Peggy Flanagan (DFL) | $1,368,959 | $585,740 | $783,220 |
| Melisa López Franzen (DFL) | $299,376 | $299,376 | $0 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[49] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Angie Craig |
Peggy Flanagan |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[50] | February 14–15, 2025 | 668 (LV) | – | 22% | 52% | 27% |
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Adam Schwarze, former Navy SEAL[51]
- Tom Weiler, retired U.S. Navy officer and nominee for MN-03 in 2022[52]
- Royce White, former NBA player and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[15]
Filed paperwork
Potential
- Willie Burton, former NBA player[55]
- Liz Collin, journalist[56]
- Ryan Wilson, attorney and nominee for state auditor in 2022[57]
Declined
- Julia Coleman, state senator from the 48th district (2021–present) and daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman[58]
- Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present)[59]
- Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present)[60]
- Tom Emmer, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010[61]
- Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, advisor to president Donald Trump, and candidate for RNC chair in 2023 (endorsed White)[62]
- Chris Madel, attorney who represented Ryan Londregan[63]
- Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota (2003–2011) and candidate for president in 2012[15]
- Pete Stauber, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district (2019–present)[64]
Endorsements
Royce White
- Individuals
- Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow and advisor to president Donald Trump[62]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports for Q2, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Ray Petersen (R) | $104 | $104 | $0 |
| Adam Schwarze (R) | $217,632 | $120,864 | $96,768 |
| Royce White (R) | $329,502 | $284,483 | $183,844 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[49] | |||
Independents
Declared
- Marisa Simonetti, business owner[65]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[66] | Likely D | July 24, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[67] | Likely D | August 7, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[68] | Lean D | March 12, 2025 |
| Race To The WH[69] | Lean D | April 27, 2025 |
See also
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
- ^ Stolberg, Sheryl; Alcindor, Yamiche; Fandos, Nicholas (December 7, 2017). "Senator Al Franken to Resign From Senate amid Harassment Allegations". New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ a b Bakst, Brian (February 13, 2025). "Sen. Tina Smith won't seek reelection in 2026, putting Minnesota seat up for grabs". MPR News. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ Masters, Clay (February 14, 2025). "An open Minnesota Senate seat is enticing to plenty but unclear how many will take plunge". MPR News. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Minnesota Senate Election 2024 Live Results: Amy Klobuchar Wins". www.nbcnews.com. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ "Minnesota U.S. Senate Election Results". The New York Times. November 3, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ Rao, Maya (January 3, 2018). "Al Franken submits resignation letter to Senate; Tina Smith ready to step in". www.startribune.com. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ "Minnesota U.S. Senate Special Election Results". The New York Times. January 28, 2019. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ "Party Control of the Minnesota House of Representatives - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ "Party Control of the Minnesota Senate - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ Van Oot, Torey (April 29, 2025). "Minnesota's U.S. Senate race just got more crowded". Axios. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ^ "Rep. Angie Craig launches Senate run in Minnesota ahead of a competitive Democratic primary". NBC News. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (February 20, 2025). "Minnesota lieutenant governor launches Senate bid". The Hill. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1883349". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ "Former state legislator López Franzen ends campaign for U.S. Senate". Minnesota Public Radio. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Bierschbach, Briana; Faircloth, Ryan (February 13, 2025). "Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announces run for U.S. Senate, Rep. Ilhan Omar considering". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ a b Bardwell, Neely (May 13, 2025). "Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Gets Sen. Warren's Endorsement for US Senate". Native News Online. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Masters, Clay (March 31, 2025). "AG Keith Ellison won't run for U.S. Senate, backs Flanagan for DFL nod". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ a b McShane, Michael (April 10, 2025). "Former Minnesota Senator Al Franken endorses Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for senate seat". KFYR-TV. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ "Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announces final re-election bid". Fox 9 News. January 29, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
- ^ "A look at who might run for Sen. Tina Smith's seat in the Senate". Minnesota Public Radio. February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ Solender, Andrew; Van Oot, Torey (April 10, 2025). "Ilhan Omar to run for reelection, not Senate, in 2026". Axios. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Wu, Nicholas; Mutnick, Ally (February 27, 2025). "Walz announcement clears way for Angie Craig in Minnesota Senate race". Politico. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
One name to cross off the list of potential candidates: first-term Democratic Rep. Kelly Morrison, who said in a brief interview she was staying put
- ^ Kassel, Matthew (February 19, 2025). "Minnesota Senate race turning into proxy battle between moderates and progressives". Jewish Insider. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Kashiwagi, Sydney (May 7, 2025). "Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon won't run for U.S. Senate". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ Van Oot, Torey (February 26, 2025). "Gov. Tim Walz rules out run for U.S. Senate". Axios. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ^ "U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Endorses Angie Craig for Senate". Punchbowl News. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Kapur, Sahil (June 10, 2025). "Sen. Ruben Gallego endorses Rep. Angie Craig in Minnesota Senate primary". NBC News. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (June 11, 2025). "Andy Kim endorses Angie Craig in Minnesota Senate race". The Hill. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Aigner, Grace (May 2, 2025). "Rep. Angie Craig announces U.S. Senate campaign". Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Equality PAC Endorses Congresswoman Angie Craig for U.S. Senate". April 30, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
- ^ "AFGE Endorses Rep. Angie Craig for U.S. Senate". May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
- ^ Olson, Blois (June 5, 2025). "morning take - Legislature Shrinks Electric Vehicle Incentives". The Daily Agenda. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
- ^ "AIPAC Political Portal". Retrieved May 2, 2025.
- ^ "LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses Angie Craig for U.S. Senate, 26 Local Candidates". LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ "LPAC Endorses Angie Craig for Senate, 7 Local Candidates". LPAC. May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ Cohen, Max (April 30, 2025). "Day 101: Big tests for Trump's economic agenda". Punchbowl News. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ "Deb Haaland Endorses Peggy Flanagan for U.S. Senate: "She Has the Guts, Smarts, and Determination to Make Real Change"". Native News Online. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ "Warren endorses Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota Senate race". May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
- ^ Olson, Blois (April 9, 2025). "morning take: Tariff Tumult Takes Hold in Minnesota". The Daily Agenda. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
Today, Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha endorsed Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan's bid for U.S. Senate.
- ^ a b c Olson, Blois. "lunch take - Emmer Peppers Walz on Immigration". The Daily Agenda. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
Today, the Chairs of the Minnesota Senate and House Inclusive Democracy Caucus...threw their full support behind Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan's U.S. Senate campaign.
- ^ a b c d e McVan, Madison (April 24, 2025). "With Craig signaling Senate run, Mike Norton edges closer to bid for CD2". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Olson, Blois (April 28, 2025). "morning take - Craig Set to Announce Tuesday". The Daily Agenda. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (May 24, 2025). "Weekend Reformer". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ "BREAKING: UFCW Local 663 is proud to be the first union to endorse Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan for the United States Senate!". www.facebook.com. UFCW Local 663. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ "Vote Mama PAC | Candidates". Vote Mama PAC.
- ^ a b Cohen, Max (June 5, 2025). "Craig, Flanagan want to bring the fight to D.C." Punchbowl News. Punchbowl News. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ Kashiwagi, Sydney (May 7, 2025). "Morning Hot Dish - Steve Simon passes on Senate run but may be considering gov bid". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
Rep. Kelly Morrison also told me she won't endorse in the primary.
- ^ Ferguson, Dana (February 26, 2025). "Gov. Tim Walz officially rules out a run for U.S. Senate". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ a b "2026 Election United States Senate - Minnesota". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David (February 20, 2025). "Morning Digest: Liberal candidates run up the vote in Wisconsin primaries". The Downballot. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ Frey, Josh (February 13, 2025). "Adam Schwarze announces candidacy for U.S. Senate in Minnesota to replace Tina Smith". KAAL-TV. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ Brown, Kyle (August 11, 2025). "Navy veteran Tom Weiler to seek Republican nomination for open U.S. Senate seat". KSTP-TV. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ "PETERSEN, RAYMOND DAVID - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ "RUOHO, MIKE - Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
- ^ Svitek, Patrick; Kornfield, Meryl (April 4, 2025). "A senator sees a 'five-alarm fire'". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
Former NBA and University of Minnesota player Willie Burton is 'strongly' considering a run in the Republican primary for the state's soon-open Senate seat, according to two people familiar with his plans.
- ^ "House Tied + Walz at SXSW". The Daily Agenda. March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ^ Radelat, Ana (August 7, 2025). "GOP is underdog in Minn. senate race, but here's who's trying to flip seat". Minnesota Post. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
- ^ "Julia Coleman won't run for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat but could for governor". Bring Me The News. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ Maurice, Jim (February 21, 2025). "Minnesota Speaker Of The House Rules Out Run for U.S. Senate". WJON. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ^ Svitek, Patrick; Kornfield, Meryl; Bogage, Jacob; Dent, Alec (February 18, 2025). "Ken Martin's first big trip as DNC chair". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
In a post Saturday on X, state Sen. Zach Duckworth (R) ruled himself out of the [Senate] race
- ^ Gans, Jared (February 13, 2025). "Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith announces she won't seek reelection in 2026". The Hill. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Kite, Allison (July 25, 2025). "What went wrong in Minnesota's 'groundbreaking' Housing Stabilization Services program?". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David (February 19, 2025). "Morning Digest: Democrats land a major name in one of the few 'Harris-Republican' House districts". The Downballot. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
Two more Republicans, state Sen. Zach Duckworth and attorney Chris Madel, each took their names out of contention for the Senate race.
- ^ Raatsi, Hayley (February 19, 2025). "EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Pete Stauber not running for U.S. Senate". KBJR-TV. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
- ^ Sudak, Stuart (March 29, 2025). "Simonetti launches U.S. Senate bid as legal case lingers". Eden Prairie Local News. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
Simonetti said she is running for the Senate as an independent and is "allowing the steps to unfold," suggesting she has not ruled out seeking a party endorsement.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites
- Angie Craig (DFL) for Senate
- Peggy Flanagan (DFL) for Senate
- Billy Nord (DFL) for Senate
- Ray Petersen (R) for Senate
- Adam Schwarze (R) for Senate
- Tom Weiler (R) for Senate
- Royce White (R) for Senate
- Marisa Simonetti (I) for Senate