Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith on Thursday said she does not plan to run when she is up for reelection in 2026, and the contest to choose her replacement looks to be competitive and expensive.

Smith, a Democrat who has nearly two years left of her current term in the Senate, said she wants focus on her family after more than 20 years in politics.

“This decision is not political. It is entirely personal,” said Smith, 66. “But it’s not lost on me that our country is in need of strong progressive leadership right now maybe more than ever.”

Smith was lieutenant governor when she was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Mark Dayton in early 2018 after then-Sen. Al Franken resigned over sexual harassment allegations. She won a special election in 2018 and then a full term in 2020.

She previously worked as chief of staff to Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and was an executive with Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.Possible Democratic candidates

Smith said there is a “deep bench of political talent in Minnesota” ready to take her place, and that she was excited to see which Democrats step forward.

One major Democratic figure in the state already said she plans to run for the position — Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

“I love Minnesota and my intention is to run for U.S. Senate and continue to serve the people of this state,” Flanagan said in a social media post. “I’ll make a formal announcement later this month.”

Others speculate Democratic U.S. Reps Angie Craig and Ilhan Omar may also seek the seat, and possibly Gov. Tim Walz.

Flanagan’s announcement came just hours after Smith’s. Politico reported Thursday that Walz was mulling a run for Senate, citing anonymous sources close to the governor.

“Her decision about that tells you a lot about her relationship with Walz,” said Steven Schier, professor emeritus of political science at Carleton College. “It was without consultation with the governor and seeking her own political future, independent of the governor.”

A crowded, contentious Democratic primary could play to Republicans’ advantage, partly because it would drain their campaign cash, Schier said.

Smith’s decision also means Democrats won’t have an incumbency advantage either. Candidates already in office generally perform better in elections than newcomers.

On the Republican side

On the Republican side, anti-establishment U.S. Senate candidate Royce White, who had run against Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2024 and lost, had already announced his plan to run again in 2026.

Observers of the GOP in Minnesota also speculated that state Sen. Karin Housley, R-Stillwater, who ran against Smith in 2018, may make another bid, or possibly Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove.

Besides White, Adam Schwarze announced he is running as a Republican. He describes himself as a former Navy Seal in his campaign announcement.

The four Minnesota Republicans in Congress are holding off on any announcements.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, the senior GOP member of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation, signaled he wanted to continue serving as a representative.

“I am focused on doing the job I was elected to do and that is serving the great people of Minnesota’s Sixth District here in Congress,” he said in a post on X. “We have a lot of work to do to implement President Trump’s agenda and that’s where I’m concentrating my efforts.”

Preya Samsundar, a long-time Minnesota Republican campaign strategist, said she doubts any Congressional Republicans will run for Smith’s Senate seat in 2026.

“You’re giving up the surefire thing for what is going to be a hard-fought battle,” she said.

No Republican has won statewide office in Minnesota since 2006, though margins have gotten closer in recent years. In 2022, the races for state auditor and attorney general were the closest they had been in many election cycles.

Minnesota’s 2026 election will be a big one for the state. The governor, three other statewide constitutional offices, a U.S. Senate seat and the state Senate and House will all be on the ballot.

The last Republican Minnesota senator, Norm Coleman, was elected in 2002 and narrowly defeated by Franken in 2008. Franken appeared to rule out a run for office in a statement posted online Thursday.

“I want to thank Tina Smith for her service and dedication to the people of Minnesota,” Franken said. “I look forward to supporting the candidate we nominate to work on behalf of Minnesotans in Washington.”

Smith will retire from a Senate that’s currently split 53-47 between Democrats and Republicans. The move could add to woes for Democrats trying to take back control of the chamber and end Republican-run government in Washington, D.C.

“They will now have to spend more money in Minnesota defending that seat than if Tina Smith were running as an incumbent, and that will drain money from other (U.S.)Senate races,” Schier said.

This story contains information from the Associated Press.