Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is contemplating a run for Senate subsequent 12 months, based on an individual near the governor who was granted anonymity to explain inner deliberations.
His consideration of the seat comes after Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced her retirement from the blue-leaning battleground on Thursday. Walz, the previous vice presidential nominee, may additionally run for reelection as governor in 2026.
Already on Thursday, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan kicked off a bid with a submit on social media: “I like Minnesota and my intention is to run for United States Senate and proceed to serve the folks of this state. I’ll make a proper announcement later this month.”
Progressive Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) didn’t rule out a run, both. “Congresswoman Omar will probably be speaking with Minnesotans about the way forward for the Senate seat and DFL occasion in Minnesota,” a spokesperson stated.
Smith, who has served within the Senate since 2018, stated in a video asserting her choice that “after 20 years of onerous and rewarding work within the public sector, I’m able to spend extra time with my household.”
“We’re greater than able to take up the mantle of this seat, and all that should get labored out,” Smith instructed reporters on the Capitol on Thursday, including that she needed to announce her choice with sufficient time for others within the state to resolve whether or not to run.
Smith is now the second Democratic incumbent to announce they gained’t run in 2026, following Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan. Democrats already face a troublesome map to take management of the chamber, with battleground seats in Georgia and Michigan up this cycle.
Smith’s retirement took some Democrats without warning, at the same time as an bold discipline of Democrats seeking to succeed her began to return collectively. However her retirement wasn’t seen as shaking up the Senate map as a lot as Peters’, given Minnesota’s Democratic tilt and a few Democrats’ view that she was initially a caretaker when she was tapped to exchange former Sen. Al Franken when he resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct. Smith had gained reelection to a full time period in 2020 by 5 factors.
The sphere to exchange her on either side of the aisle may very well be fairly deep. Walz’s workplace declined to touch upon the race.
Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) may additionally mount a bid. She’s receiving encouragement from the nationwide and Minnesota ranges to run, based on an individual accustomed to the state of affairs. She’s caught to a centrist lane within the Home and just lately rose to develop into the highest Democrat on the Home Agriculture Committee.
Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.) can also be getting outreach from folks about operating, based on one particular person accustomed to the conversations.
Legal professional Common Keith Ellison, a Democrat who beforehand served within the Home, is one other potential candidate.
Republican Royce White, who simply misplaced the 2024 Senate race by virtually 16 factors to Sen. Amy Klobuchar, has said he will seek the GOP nomination once again.
Franken, who has repeatedly said he regrets resigning, may additionally search a return to his former seat. In 2019 interviews with The New Yorker, a number of Democratic senators stated they regretted calling for Franken’s resignation.
In a social media post shortly after Smith’s announcement, Franken thanked her for her service and didn’t instantly deal with his future.
“As DFLers, we’re fortunate to have a deep bench of people who find themselves guided by Paul Wellstone’s phrases: all of us do higher after we all do higher,” he stated, referencing the legendary Minnesota progressive. “I stay up for supporting the candidate we nominate to work on behalf of Minnesotans in Washington.”
In her video, Smith stated her household was the principle purpose behind not looking for reelection.
“This choice just isn’t political, it’s fully private,” Smith continued. “However it’s not misplaced on me that our nation is in want of robust progressive management proper now, possibly greater than ever.”
Mia McCarthy contributed to this report.
