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. Primary elections will be held on August 11, 2026. Incumbent Democratic Senator Tina Smith is not seeking reelection 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 controversies.[1][2]
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November 3, 2026
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This will be the first U.S. Senate election in Minnesota without an incumbent since 2006.[3]
Background
Minnesota is considered a 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. 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]
Democrats 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.[6][7]
Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary
Background and campaign
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was reportedly considering running for the seat before her assassination in June 2025.[8]
The Democratic primary election between progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and moderate U.S. Representative Angie Craig is widely seen as a part of the national struggle between the Democratic Party's progressive and moderate factions since the 2024 U.S. elections, with endorsements split by ideology.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Flanagan has rejected accepting donations from corporate PACs or AIPAC while Craig has defended accepting them. Newsweek called the primary contest an "ideological proxy fight between Bernie Sanders-style progressivism and Bill Clinton-esque 'Third Way' centrism".[17]
Craig reportedly has the private backing of the Democratic Senate leadership, including Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), but they have not endorsed her.[18][19][20][21][16]
In November 2025, Center Forward Committee, a centrist super PAC, spent $630,000 on online and mail ads supporting Craig.[22]
Flanagan and Craig condemned the killing of Renée Good by an ICE agent amid Trump's mass deportation campaign. Flanagan said she supports a "complete and total overhaul" of ICE and criticized Craig for being "politically expedient" and voting for the Laken Riley Act and a resolution expressing gratitude to ICE agents.[23][24] Craig said she stood by her votes and that "Flanagan ... is twisting this and trying to create some sort of political advantage ... that is disgusting".[25][26] Flanagan has since expressed support for dismantling ICE and replacing it. Craig has called that stance extreme and said it will push away independents.[27][28]
Candidates
Declared
- Angie Craig, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)[29]
- Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor of Minnesota (2019–present) and former state representative from district 46A (2015–2019)[30]
- Billy Nord, streaming company manager[31]
Withdrawn
- Melisa López Franzen, former minority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2021–2023) from the 49th district (2013–2023)[32]
Declined
- Melvin Carter, former mayor of Saint Paul (2018–2026) (endorsed Flanagan)[33][34]
- Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General (2019–present) and former U.S. representative from Minnesota's 5th congressional district (2007–2019) (running for reelection, endorsed Flanagan)[35]
- Al Franken, former U.S. senator (2009–2018)[33] (endorsed Flanagan)[36]
- Jacob Frey, mayor of Minneapolis (2018–present)[37]
- Andrew Luger, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota (2014–2017, 2022–2025)[38]
- Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 5th congressional district (2019–present) (running for reelection)[39]
- Kelly Morrison, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2025–present) (running for reelection)[40]
- Dean Phillips, former U.S. representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024[33] (endorsed Craig)[41]
- Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State (2015–present) (running for reelection)[42]
- Tina Smith, incumbent U.S. senator (2018–present)[2] (endorsed Flanagan)
- Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota (2019–present), Democratic nominee for U.S. vice president in 2024, and former U.S. representative from Minnesota's 1st congressional district (2007–2019) (ran for reelection, later withdrew)[43]
Endorsements
- Executive branch officials
- Pete Buttigieg, former secretary of transportation (2021–2025)[44]
- U.S. senators
- Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin (2013–present)[45]
- Ruben Gallego, Arizona (2025–present)[46]
- Andy Kim, New Jersey (2024–present)[47]
- Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada (2017–present)[48]
- Jacky Rosen, Nevada (2019–present)[49]
- U.S. representatives
- Hakeem Jeffries, House minority leader (2023–present) from NY-08 (2013–present)[50]
- Nancy Pelosi, former speaker of the House (2007–2011, 2019–2023) from CA-11 (1987–present)[50]
- Sarah McBride, DE-AL (2025–present)[51]
- Collin Peterson, former MN-07 (1991–2021)[52]
- Dean Phillips, former MN-03 (2019–2025)[53]
- Mark Takano, CA-39 (2013–present)[54]
- Ritchie Torres, NY-15 (2021–present)[54]
- Statewide officials
- Abigail Spanberger, governor of Virginia (2026–present) and former VA-7 (2019–2025)[48]
- Individuals
- Jim Obergefell, civil rights activist[55]
- Labor unions
- American Federation of Government Employees[56]
- Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 9[57]
- Teamsters Joint Council 32[58]
- Minnesota AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Council[59]
- IUPAT District Council 82[60]
- Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters[61]
- Organizations
- Executive branch officials
- Deb Haaland, former secretary of the interior (2021–2025)[69]
- U.S. senators
- Al Franken, former Minnesota (2009–2018)[36]
- Martin Heinrich, New Mexico (2013–present)[70]
- Ed Markey, Massachusetts (2013–present)[71]
- Jeff Merkley, Oregon (2009–present)[70]
- Chris Murphy, Connecticut (2013–present)[70]
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)[72]
- Tina Smith, Minnesota (2018–present)[73] (previously declined to endorse)[74]
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present)[75]
- Chris Van Hollen, Maryland (2017–present)[70]
- Statewide officials
- Julie Blaha, state auditor of Minnesota (2019–present)[76]
- Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present)[35]
- State legislators
- Local officials
- Melvin Carter, mayor of Saint Paul (2018–2026)[34]
- Party officials
- Jaime Harrison, former chair of the Democratic National Committee (2021–2025)[81]
- Labor unions
- Service Employees International Union Minnesota State Council[82]
- United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663[83]
- UNITE HERE Local 17[84]
- National Nurses United[85]
- Organizations
- U.S. senators
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota (2007–present)[74]
Tina Smith, Minnesota (2018–present)[74] (later endorsed Flanagan)[73]
- U.S. representatives
- Kelly Morrison, MN-03 (2025–present)[93]
- Statewide officials
- Steve Simon, secretary of state of Minnesota (2015–present)[42]
- Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota (2019–present)[94]
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Angie Craig (DFL) | $9,290,611 | $4,395,298 | $4,895,313 |
| Peggy Flanagan (DFL) | $4,646,309 | $3,502,299 | $1,144,009 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[95] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Angie Craig |
Peggy Flanagan |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GQR (D)[96][A] | January 14–20, 2026 | 600 (LV) | – | 36% | 49% | – | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[97][B] | January 16–17, 2026 | 976 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 28% | 40% | – | 31% |
| Impact Research (D)[98][C] | January 13–15, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 45% | 3% | 9% |
| NRSC (R)[99] | July 4–7, 2025 | 559 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 24% | 30% | – | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[100] | February 14–15, 2025 | 668 (LV) | – | 22% | 52% | – | 27% |
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Adam Schwarze, former Navy SEAL[101]
- Michele Tafoya, reporter and retired sports broadcaster[102]
- Tom Weiler, retired U.S. Navy officer and nominee for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in 2022[103]
- Royce White, former NBA player, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024, and candidate for Minnesota's 5th congressional district in 2022[33]
- Mark York, farmer, computer scientist, and former White House Fellow[104]
Filed paperwork
Withdrawn
- David Hann, former Republican Party of Minnesota chair (2021–2025) and minority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2013–2017)[108]
Declined
- Willie Burton, former NBA player[109]
- Julia Coleman, state senator from the 48th district (2021–present) and daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman[110]
- Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present)[111] (running for governor)[112]
- Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present)[113]
- Tom Emmer, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010[114]
- Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, advisor to president Donald Trump, and candidate for RNC chair in 2023 (running for governor, endorsed White)[115]
- Chris Madel, attorney who represented Ryan Londregan[116]
- Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota (2003–2011) and candidate for president in 2012[33]
- Pete Stauber, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district (2019–present)[117]
- Ryan Wilson, attorney and nominee for state auditor in 2022 (running for lieutenant governor in 2026)[118]
Endorsements
- U.S. senators
- Tim Sheehy, Montana (2025–present)[119]
- U.S. representatives
- John McGuire, VA-05 (2025–present)[119]
- Organizations
- Individuals
- Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow and candidate for governor in 2026[115]
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| David Hann (R) | $130,453 | $112,275 | $18,177 |
| Ray Petersen (R) | $960 | $960 | $0 |
| Mike Ruoho (R) | $45 | $550 | $0 |
| Adam Schwarze (R) | $1,102,851 | $879,423 | $223,427 |
| Michele Tafoya (R) | $2,041,939 | $186,972 | $1,854,967 |
| Tom Weiler (R) | $105,397 | $56,432 | $50,725 |
| Royce White (R) | $565,894 | $622,199 | $82,803 |
| Mark York (R) | $56,206 | $45,484 | $10,721 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[95] | |||
Polling
Independents
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[125] | Likely D | August 12, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[126] | Likely D | October 14, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[127] | Likely D | October 23, 2025 |
| Race To The WH[128] | Likely D | February 11, 2026 |
Polling
Angie Craig vs. Michele Tafoya
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Angie Craig (DFL) |
Michele Tafoya (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[129] | February 6–8, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 47% | 40% | 13% |
| Impact Research (D)[130][C] | July 8–11, 2025 | 604 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 49% | 45% | 6% |
Peggy Flanagan vs. Michele Tafoya
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Peggy Flanagan (DFL) |
Michele Tafoya (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[129] | February 6–8, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 47% | 41% | 12% |
| Impact Research (D)[130][C] | July 8–11, 2025 | 604 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 48% | 45% | 7% |
Angie Craig vs. Generic Republican
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Angie Craig (DFL) |
Generic Republican |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[131] | September 15–16, 2025 | 1,015 (V) | — | 47% | 43% | 10% |
Peggy Flanagan vs. Generic Republican
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Peggy Flanagan (DFL) |
Generic Republican |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[131] | September 15–16, 2025 | 1,015 (V) | — | 46% | 44% | 10% |
See also
Notes
- Liz Boldon, SD-25 (2023–present)[77]
- Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, SD-47 (2025–present)[78]
- Lindsey Port, SD-55 (2021–present)[79]
- Erin Maye Quade, SD-56 (2023–present)[79]
- Mary Frances Clardy, HD-53A (2023–present)[79]
- Nathan Coulter, HD-51B (2023–present)[78]
- Brion Curran, HD-36B (2023–present)[78]
- Leigh Finke, HD-66A (2023-present)[80]
- Cedrick Frazier, HD-43A (2021–present)[77]
- Emma Greenman, HD-63B (2021–present)[77]
- Jessica Hanson, HD-55A (2021–present)[79]
- Athena Hollins, HD-66B (2021–present)[78]
- Heather Keeler, HD-4A (2021–present)[78]
- Larry Kraft, HD-46A (2023–present)[78]
- Jamie Long, HD-61B (2019–present)[78]
- Kristi Pursell, HD-58A (2023–present)[79]
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - "Someone else" with 6%; Tom Weiler with 1%
Partisan clients