Dem Sen. Tina Smith Will Not Seek Reelection

Minnesota Public Radio reports:

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith announced Thursday she will retire after next year, opting against a 2026 bid for another six-year term and putting a Democratic-held seat in play in an increasingly competitive Upper Midwest.

The decision comes after Smith had been conveying her plan to run again for a seat she has held since 2018. She has won two prior Senate elections, including a 5-percentage-point victory when last on the ballot in 2020.

As a senator, Smith concentrated on a set of issues that didn’t always command attention, from laws affecting Native Americans to housing issues and farm policy. She also worked to reduce stigma on mental illness, going public with her own stories of dealing with depression.

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Democratic Sen. Tina Smith won’t seek reelection in 2026, kicking off a likely crowded primary to replace her in Minnesota

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— Phil Lewis (@phillewis.bsky.social) February 13, 2025 at 11:20 AM