By Gabriella Borter
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic U.S. Senator Tina Smith said she will not seek re-election in 2026, which leaves an open seat in moderately competitive Minnesota and complicates her party’s hopes of winning back control of the chamber in the midterm elections.
Smith, 66, was first elected in a special election in 2018. She posted her video announcement to social media on Thursday, citing her desire to spend more time with family.
“I have loved my job as U.S. senator, and also after 20 years of hard and rewarding work in the public sector, I’m ready to spend more time with my family,” she said.
While Democrats still have a high chance of winning Smith’s open seat in 2026, her dropping out makes the race slightly more difficult for the party. Republicans currentlyF hold a 53-47 Senate majority.
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris won Minnesota with 51% over Republican President Donald Trump’s 47% in 2024.
The nonpartisan University of Virginia’s Center for Politics changed its outlook on the Minnesota Senate race from “Likely Democratic” to “Leans Democratic” after Smith’s move.
“It’s an open seat in a light blue state. I still think Democrats are favored to hold it, there’s just more uncertainty,” said Kyle Kondik, managing editor at Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the center.
Democrats face an uphill climb to take the Senate majority because there are few competitive Republican seats up for grabs to flip, with the possible exception of Thom Tillis’ seat in North Carolina and Susan Collins’ in Maine.
Democratic Senator Gary Peters’ recent announcement that he too would not seek re-election in a Michigan race now seen as a tossup further complicates things for the party.
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said on social media that she would soon be announcing a Senate bid, and other possible candidates could include Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Congresswoman Angie Craig, Kondik said.
(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Scott Malone and David Gregorio)
