2026 United States Senate election in Minnesota

Not to be confused with 2026 Minnesota Senate election.

For related races, see 2026 United States Senate elections.

2026 United States Senate election in Minnesota

←  2020 November 3, 2026 2032 →

Party Democratic (DFL) Republican

Incumbent U.S. senator Tina Smith Democratic (DFL)

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 election 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 allegations. ^{[1] [2]}

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 have had considerably more success in the state in recent years.^{[ citation needed ]} They 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

Campaign

The Democratic primary election between the progressive Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and moderate Representative Angie Craig is widely seen as a part of the national struggle between the progressive and moderate wings of the Democratic party over its future, with endorsements split by ideology, following the 2024 U.S. elections. ^{[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]}

Craig is reportedly receiving the private backing of the Democratic Senate leadership, including Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). However, they have yet to publicly take sides in the Democratic primary. ^{[15] [16] [17] [18]}

Candidates

Declared

• Angie Craig, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 2nd congressional district (2019–present) ^[19]
• Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor of Minnesota (2019–present) and former state representative from district 46A (2015–2019) ^[20]

• Billy Nord, streaming company manager ^{[21] [22]}

Withdrawn

• Melisa López Franzen, former minority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2021–2023) from the 49th district (2013–2023) ^[23]

Declined

• Melvin Carter, mayor of Saint Paul (2017–present) (endorsed Flanagan) ^{[24] [25]}
• 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) ^[26]
• Al Franken, former U.S. senator (2009–2018) ^[24] (endorsed Flanagan) ^[27]
• Jacob Frey, mayor of Minneapolis (2018–present) ^[28]
• Andrew Luger, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota (2014–2017, 2022–2025) ^[29]
• Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 5th congressional district (2019–present) (running for reelection) ^[30]
• Kelly Morrison, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2025–present) (running for reelection) ^[31]
• Dean Phillips, former U.S. representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024 ^[24] (endorsed Craig) ^[32]
• Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State (2015–present) ^[33]
• Tina Smith, incumbent U.S. senator (2018–present) ^[2]
• 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) ^[34] (running for reelection) ^[35]

Endorsements

Angie Craig

U.S. senators

• Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin (2013–present) ^[36]
• Ruben Gallego, Arizona (2025–present) ^[37]
• Andy Kim, New Jersey (2024–present) ^[38]
• Jacky Rosen, Nevada (2019–present) ^[39]

U.S. representatives

• Hakeem Jeffries, House Majority Leader (2023–present) from NY-08 (2013–present) ^[40]
• Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House (2007–2011, 2019–2023) from CA-11 (2023–present), CA-12 (2013–2023), CA-08 (1993–2013), CA-05 (1987–1993) ^[40]
• Sarah McBride, DE-AL (2025–present) ^[41]
• Collin Peterson, former MN-07 (1991–2021) ^[42]
• Dean Phillips, former MN-03 (2019–2025) ^[43]
• Mark Takano, CA-39 (2013–present) ^[44]
• Ritchie Torres, NY-15 (2021–present) ^[44]

Labor unions

• American Federation of Government Employees ^[45]
• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 9 ^[46]
• Teamsters Joint Council 32 ^[47]
• Minnesota AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Council ^[48]
• IUPAT District Council 82 ^[49]
• Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters ^[50]

Organizations

• Human Rights Campaign ^[51]
• Elect Democratic Women ^[52]
• AIPAC ^[53]
• Democratic Majority for Israel ^[54]
• Equality PAC ^[44]
• Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs ^[55]
• LGBTQ+ Victory Fund ^[56]
• LPAC ^[57]

Peggy Flanagan

Executive branch officials

• Deb Haaland, former Secretary of the Interior (2021–2025) ^[58]

U.S. senators

• Al Franken, former Minnesota (2009–2018) ^[27]
• Martin Heinrich, New Mexico (2013–present) ^[59]
• Ed Markey, Massachusetts (2013–present) ^[60]
• Jeff Merkley, Oregon (2009–present) ^[59]
• Chris Murphy, Connecticut (2013–present) ^[59]
• Bernie Sanders, Vermont (2007–present) (Independent) ^[61]
• Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present) ^[62]
• Chris Van Hollen, Maryland (2017–present) ^[59]

Statewide officials

• Julie Blaha, state auditor of Minnesota (2019–present) ^[63]
• Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present) ^[26]

State legislators

• Liz Boldon, SD-25 (2023–present) ^[64]
• Erin Maye Quade, SD-56 (2023–present) ^[65]
• Lindsey Port, SD-55 (2021–present) ^[65]
• Mary Frances Clardy, HD-53A (2023–present) ^[65]
• Nathan Coulter, HD-51B (2023–present) ^[66]
• Brion Curran, HD-36B (2023–present) ^[66]
• Leigh Finke, HD-66A (2023-present) ^[67]
• Cedrick Frazier, HD-43A (2021–present) ^[64]
• Emma Greenman, HD-63B (2021–present) ^[64]
• Jessica Hanson, HD-55A (2021–present) ^[65]
• Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, HD-47B (2023–present) ^[66]
• Athena Hollins, HD-66B (2021–present) ^[66]
• Heather Keeler, HD-4A (2021–present) ^[66]
• Larry Kraft, HD-46A (2023–present) ^[66]
• Jamie Long, HD-61B (2019–present) ^[66]
• Kristi Pursell, HD-58A (2023–present) ^[65]

Local officials

• Melvin Carter, mayor of Saint Paul (2018–present) ^[25]

Labor unions

• Service Employees International Union Minnesota State Council ^[68]
• United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 ^[69]

Organizations

• Patriotic Millionaires ^[70]
• Vote Mama ^[71]

Declined to endorse

U.S. senators

• Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota (2007–present) ^[72]
• Tina Smith, Minnesota (2018–present) ^[72]

U.S. representatives

• Kelly Morrison, MN-03 (2025–present) ^[73]

Statewide officials

• Steve Simon, secretary of state of Minnesota (2015–present) ^[33]
• Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota (2019–present) ^[74]

Fundraising

Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.

Campaign finance reports for Q3 Tooltip Fiscal quarter, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Angie Craig (DFL)	$4,688,414	$1,735,015	$2,953,399
Peggy Flanagan (DFL)	$2,283,671	$1,447,978	$835,693
Melisa López Franzen (DFL)	$299,376	$299,376	$0
Source: Federal Election Commission [75]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Angie Craig	Peggy Flanagan	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D) [76]	February 14–15, 2025	668 (LV)	–	22%	52%	27%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Adam Schwarze, former Navy SEAL ^[77]
• Tom Weiler, retired U.S. Navy officer and nominee for MN-03 in 2022 ^[78]
• Royce White, former NBA player and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024 ^[24]

Filed paperwork

• Alycia Gruenhagen, food co-op manager, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024, and Democratic candidate for Minnesota's 7th congressional district in 2020 and 2022 ^[79]
• Ray Petersen, truck driver and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 ^[80]
• Mike Ruoho, business owner ^[81]

Potential

• Jim Nash, state representative from district 48A (2015–present) ^[82]
• Kathleen Fowke, real estate agent, wife of Xcel Energy CEO Ben Fowke, and nominee for Minnesota's 45th Senate district in 2022 and 2024 ^[82]

Declined

• Willie Burton, former NBA player ^[82]
• Julia Coleman, state senator from the 48th district (2021–present) and daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman ^[83]
• Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present) ^[84] (running for governor) ^[85]
• Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present) ^[86]
• Tom Emmer, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010 ^[87]
• Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, advisor to president Donald Trump, and candidate for RNC chair in 2023 (endorsed White) ^[88]
• Chris Madel, attorney who represented Ryan Londregan ^[89]
• Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota (2003–2011) and candidate for president in 2012 ^[24]
• Pete Stauber, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district (2019–present) ^[90]
• Ryan Wilson, attorney and nominee for state auditor in 2022 (running for lieutenant governor in 2026) ^[91]

Endorsements

Royce White

Individuals

• Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow ^[88]

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports for Q3 Tooltip Fiscal quarter, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Ray Petersen (R)	$104	$104	$0
Adam Schwarze (R)	$480,698	$312,783	$167,915
Tom Weiler (R)	$52,778	$242	$54,297
Royce White (R)	$393,143	$426,798	$105,170
Source: Federal Election Commission [75]

Independents

Declared

• Marisa Simonetti, business owner ^[92]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Inside Elections [93]	Likely D	August 12, 2025
The Cook Political Report [94]	Likely D	October 14, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [95]	Likely D	October 23, 2025
Race To The WH [96]	Lean D	September 4, 2025

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Angie Craig vs. Generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Angie Craig (DFL)	Generic Republican	Undecided
Public Policy Polling [97]	September 15–16, 2025	1,015 (V)	—	47%	43%	10%

Peggy Flanagan vs. Generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Peggy Flanagan (DFL)	Generic Republican	Undecided
Public Policy Polling [97]	September 15–16, 2025	1,015 (V)	—	46%	44%	10%

See also

• 2026 Minnesota elections

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

References

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73. Kashiwagi, Sydney (May 7, 2025). "Morning Hot Dish - Steve Simon passes on Senate run but may be considering gov bid". Minnesota Star Tribune . Retrieved June 18, 2025. Rep. Kelly Morrison also told me she won't endorse in the primary.
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87. Gans, Jared (February 13, 2025). "Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith announces she won't seek reelection in 2026". The Hill . Archived from the original on February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
88. Kite, Allison (July 25, 2025). "What went wrong in Minnesota's 'groundbreaking' Housing Stabilization Services program?". Minnesota Star Tribune . Retrieved July 28, 2025.
89. Nir, David (February 19, 2025). "Morning Digest: Democrats land a major name in one of the few 'Harris-Republican' House districts". The Downballot. Retrieved February 19, 2025. Two more Republicans, state Sen. Zach Duckworth and attorney Chris Madel, each took their names out of contention for the Senate race.
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92. Sudak, Stuart (March 29, 2025). "Simonetti launches U.S. Senate bid as legal case lingers". Eden Prairie Local News. Archived from the original on May 4, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025. Simonetti said she is running for the Senate as an independent and is "allowing the steps to unfold," suggesting she has not ruled out seeking a party endorsement.
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External links

Official campaign websites

• Angie Craig (DFL) for Senate
• Peggy Flanagan (DFL) for Senate
• Alycia Gruenhagen (R) for Senate
• Billy Nord (DFL) for Senate
• Ray Petersen (R) for Senate
• Adam Schwarze (R) for Senate
• Tom Weiler (R) for Senate
• Royce White (R) for Senate
• Mike Ruoho (R) for Senate
• Marisa Simonetti (I) for Senate