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 controversies. ^{[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 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 progressive Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and moderate U.S. Representative Angie Craig is widely seen as a part of the national struggle since the 2024 U.S. elections between the progressive and moderate wings of the Democratic party, with endorsements split by ideology. ^{[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]}

Craig reportedly has the private backing of the Democratic Senate leadership, including Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), but they have yet to publicly endorse her. ^{[16] [17] [18] [19] [15]}

Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was reportedly considering running for the seat before her assassination in June 2025. ^[20]

Flanagan has rejected accepting donations from corporate PACs or AIPAC while Craig has defended accepting them. Newsweek called their contest an "ideological proxy fight between Bernie Sanders-style progressivism and Bill Clinton-esque 'Third Way' centrism". ^[21]

Flanagan and Craig condemned the killing of Renée Good by an ICE agent amid Trump's mass deportation campaign. Flanagan said she supports a "complete and total overhaul" of ICE and criticized Craig for being "politically expedient" and voting for the Laken Riley Act and a resolution expressing gratitude to ICE agents. ^{[22] [23]} Craig said she stood by her votes and that "Flanagan ... is twisting this and trying to create some sort of political advantage ... that is disgusting". ^{[24] [25]} Flanagan has since expressed support for dismantling ICE and replacing it, viewing it as beyond reform while Craig has criticized her stance as extreme and said it will push away independents. ^{[26] [27]}

Candidates

Declared

• Angie Craig, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 2nd congressional district (2019–present) ^[28]
• Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor of Minnesota (2019–present) and former state representative from district 46A (2015–2019) ^[29]
• Billy Nord, streaming company manager ^[30]

Withdrawn

• Melisa López Franzen, former minority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2021–2023) from the 49th district (2013–2023) ^[31]

Declined

• Melvin Carter, former mayor of Saint Paul (2018–2026) (endorsed Flanagan) ^{[32] [33]}
• 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) ^[34]
• Al Franken, former U.S. senator (2009–2018) ^[32] (endorsed Flanagan) ^[35]
• Jacob Frey, mayor of Minneapolis (2018–present) ^[36]
• Andrew Luger, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota (2014–2017, 2022–2025) ^[37]
• Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 5th congressional district (2019–present) (running for reelection) ^[38]
• Kelly Morrison, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2025–present) (running for reelection) ^[39]
• Dean Phillips, former U.S. representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024 ^[32] (endorsed Craig) ^[40]
• Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State (2015–present) (running for reelection) ^[41]
• 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) (ran for reelection, later withdrew) ^[42]

Endorsements

Angie Craig

Executive branch officials

• Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Transportation (2021–2025) ^[43]

U.S. senators

• Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin (2013–present) ^[44]
• Ruben Gallego, Arizona (2025–present) ^[45]
• Andy Kim, New Jersey (2024–present) ^[46]
• Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada (2017–present) ^[47]
• Jacky Rosen, Nevada (2019–present) ^[48]

U.S. representatives

• Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (2023–present) from NY-08 (2013–present) ^[49]
• Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House (2007–2011, 2019–2023) from CA-11 (1987–present) ^[49]
• Sarah McBride, DE-AL (2025–present) ^[50]
• Collin Peterson, former MN-07 (1991–2021) ^[51]
• Dean Phillips, former MN-03 (2019–2025) ^[52]
• Mark Takano, CA-39 (2013–present) ^[53]
• Ritchie Torres, NY-15 (2021–present) ^[53]

Statewide officials

• Abigail Spanberger, governor of Virginia (2026–present) and former VA-7 (2019–2025) ^[47]

Labor unions

• American Federation of Government Employees ^[54]
• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 9 ^[55]
• Teamsters Joint Council 32 ^[56]
• Minnesota AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Council ^[57]
• IUPAT District Council 82 ^[58]
• Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters ^[59]

Organizations

• Human Rights Campaign ^[60]
• Elect Democratic Women ^[61]
• AIPAC ^[62]
• Democratic Majority for Israel ^[63]
• Equality PAC ^[53]
• Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs ^[64]
• LGBTQ+ Victory Fund ^[65]
• LPAC ^[66]

Peggy Flanagan

Executive branch officials

• Deb Haaland, former Secretary of the Interior (2021–2025) ^[67]

U.S. senators

• Al Franken, former Minnesota (2009–2018) ^[35]
• Martin Heinrich, New Mexico (2013–present) ^[68]
• Ed Markey, Massachusetts (2013–present) ^[69]
• Jeff Merkley, Oregon (2009–present) ^[68]
• Chris Murphy, Connecticut (2013–present) ^[68]
• Bernie Sanders, Vermont (2007–present) (Independent) ^[70]
• Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present) ^[71]
• Chris Van Hollen, Maryland (2017–present) ^[68]

Statewide officials

• Julie Blaha, state auditor of Minnesota (2019–present) ^[72]
• Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present) ^[34]

State legislators

• 4 state senators ^[a]

• 12 state representatives ^[b]

Local officials

• Melvin Carter, mayor of Saint Paul (2018–2026) ^[33]

Labor unions

• Service Employees International Union Minnesota State Council ^[77]
• United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 ^[78]
• National Nurses United ^[79]

Organizations

• Patriotic Millionaires ^[80]
• Vote Mama ^[81]
• Minnesota 50501 ^[82]
• Jane Fonda Climate PAC ^[83]

Declined to endorse

U.S. senators

• Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota (2007–present) ^[84]
• Tina Smith, Minnesota (2018–present) ^[84]

U.S. representatives

• Kelly Morrison, MN-03 (2025–present) ^[85]

Statewide officials

• Steve Simon, secretary of state of Minnesota (2015–present) ^[41]
• Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota (2019–present) ^[86]

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 [87]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [c]	Margin of error	Angie Craig	Peggy Flanagan	Other	Undecided
GQR (D) [88] [A]	January 14–20, 2026	600 (LV)	–	36%	49%	–	15%
Public Policy Polling (D) [89] [B]	January 16–17, 2026	976 (LV)	± 3.1%	28%	40%	–	31%
Impact Research (D) [90] [C]	January 13–15, 2026	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	42%	45%	3%	9%
NRSC (R) [91]	July 4–7, 2025	559 (LV)	± 3.3%	24%	30%	–	45%
Public Policy Polling (D) [92]	February 14–15, 2025	668 (LV)	–	22%	52%	–	27%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• David Hann, former Republican Party of Minnesota chair (2021–2025) and minority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2013–2017) ^[93]
• Adam Schwarze, former Navy SEAL ^[94]
• Michele Tafoya, reporter and retired sports broadcaster ^[95]
• Tom Weiler, retired U.S. Navy officer and nominee for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in 2022 ^[96]
• Royce White, former NBA player, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024, and candidate for Minnesota's 5th congressional district in 2022 ^[32]
• Mark York, farmer, computer scientist, and former White House Fellow ^[97]

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 ^[98]
• Ray Petersen, truck driver and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 ^[99]
• Mike Ruoho, business owner ^[100]

Potential

• Jim Nash, state representative from district 48A (2015–present) ^[101]

Declined

• Willie Burton, former NBA player ^[102]
• Julia Coleman, state senator from the 48th district (2021–present) and daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman ^[103]
• Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present) ^[104] (running for governor) ^[105]
• Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present) ^[106]
• Tom Emmer, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010 ^[107]
• Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, advisor to president Donald Trump, and candidate for RNC chair in 2023 (running for governor, endorsed White) ^[108]
• Chris Madel, attorney who represented Ryan Londregan ^[109]
• Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota (2003–2011) and candidate for president in 2012 ^[32]
• Pete Stauber, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district (2019–present) ^[110]
• Ryan Wilson, attorney and nominee for state auditor in 2022 (running for lieutenant governor in 2026) ^[111]

Endorsements

Adam Schwarze

U.S. senators

• Tim Sheehy, Montana (2025–present) ^[112]

U.S. representatives

• John McGuire, VA-05 (2025–present) ^[112]

Organizations

• Law Enforcement Today ^[113]

Michele Tafoya

U.S. senators

• Tim Scott, South Carolina (2013–present) ^[114]

Organizations

• National Republican Senatorial Committee ^[114]

Royce White

Individuals

• Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow and candidate for governor in 2026 ^[108]

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 [87]

Independents

Declared

• Marisa Simonetti, business owner ^[115]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Inside Elections [116]	Likely D	August 12, 2025
The Cook Political Report [117]	Likely D	October 14, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [118]	Likely D	October 23, 2025
Race To The WH [119]	Lean D	September 4, 2025

Polling

Angie Craig vs. Michele Tafoya

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [c]	Margin of error	Angie Craig (DFL)	Michele Tafoya (R)	Undecided
Impact Research (D) [120] [C]	July 8–11, 2025	604 (LV)	± 4.0%	49%	45%	6%

Peggy Flanagan vs. Michele Tafoya

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [c]	Margin of error	Peggy Flanagan (DFL)	Michele Tafoya (R)	Undecided
Impact Research (D) [120] [C]	July 8–11, 2025	604 (LV)	± 4.0%	48%	45%	7%

Hypothetical polling

Angie Craig vs. Generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [c]	Margin of error	Angie Craig (DFL)	Generic Republican	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D) [121]	September 15–16, 2025	1,015 (V)	—	47%	43%	10%

Peggy Flanagan vs. Generic Republican

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [c]	Margin of error	Peggy Flanagan (DFL)	Generic Republican	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D) [121]	September 15–16, 2025	1,015 (V)	—	46%	44%	10%

See also

• 2026 Minnesota elections

Notes

1. • Liz Boldon, SD-25 (2023–present) ^[73]
   • Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, SD-47 (2025–present) ^[74]
   • Lindsey Port, SD-55 (2021–present) ^[75]
   • Erin Maye Quade, SD-56 (2023–present) ^[75]
2. • Mary Frances Clardy, HD-53A (2023–present) ^[75]
   • Nathan Coulter, HD-51B (2023–present) ^[74]
   • Brion Curran, HD-36B (2023–present) ^[74]
   • Leigh Finke, HD-66A (2023-present) ^[76]
   • Cedrick Frazier, HD-43A (2021–present) ^[73]
   • Emma Greenman, HD-63B (2021–present) ^[73]
   • Jessica Hanson, HD-55A (2021–present) ^[75]
   • Athena Hollins, HD-66B (2021–present) ^[74]
   • Heather Keeler, HD-4A (2021–present) ^[74]
   • Larry Kraft, HD-46A (2023–present) ^[74]
   • Jamie Long, HD-61B (2019–present) ^[74]
   • Kristi Pursell, HD-58A (2023–present) ^[75]
3. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by Flanagan's campaign
2. Polling commissioned by Clear Voice Minnesota, which supports Flanagan
3. Poll sponsored by Craig's campaign

References

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30. "Race for rare open Senate seat in Minnesota heats up well ahead of primary". Minnesota Public Radio . Retrieved November 24, 2025. Flanagan is vying for the DFL endorsement along with U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Billy Nord, a manager at a streaming company. The candidates say the party's nod is important, but they're prepared to move to a summer primary election if they don't get it.
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48. Blanchard, Jack; Burns, Dasha (October 30, 2025). "What Trump told Xi". Politico. Retrieved November 26, 2025. And in the Minnesota Senate race, Democratic Rep. Angie Craig landed the backing of Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), saying "we don't have time for political theater — we need experienced, principled leaders."
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51. "Former Rep. Collin Peterson endorses Rep. Angie Craig in Senate race". November 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
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54. "AFGE Endorses Rep. Angie Craig for U.S. Senate". May 1, 2025. Archived from the original on May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
55. Olson, Blois (June 5, 2025). "morning take - Legislature Shrinks Electric Vehicle Incentives". The Daily Agenda. Archived from the original on June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
56. Nesterak, Max (May 9, 2025). "Labor fights to preserve recent gains at Minnesota Legislature — and other labor news • Minnesota Reformer". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved November 22, 2025. Craig has already won the endorsement of the Teamsters Local 32 in Minnesota, along with nine other labor unions representing more than 150,000 workers.
57. "Ten labor unions representing over 150,000 Minnesotans are endorsing Angie Craig for U.S. Senate!". Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council on Facebook. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
58. ""IUPAT District Council 82 is proud to endorse Angie Craig for U.S. Senate."". Int'l Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82 on Facebook. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
59. "Endorsements". Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
60. "Human Rights Campaign PAC Endorses Rep. Angie Craig for U.S. Senate". HRC. September 9, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
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63. Rod, Marc (November 20, 2025). "DMFI backs Haley Stevens, Angie Craig as they face primaries from the anti-Israel left". Jewish Insider . Retrieved November 20, 2025.
64. "Candidates". Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs.
65. "LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses Angie Craig for U.S. Senate, 26 Local Candidates". LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. August 19, 2025. Archived from the original on August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
66. "LPAC Endorses Angie Craig for Senate, 7 Local Candidates". LPAC. May 13, 2025. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
67. "Deb Haaland Endorses Peggy Flanagan for U.S. Senate: "She Has the Guts, Smarts, and Determination to Make Real Change"". Native News Online. June 5, 2025. Archived from the original on June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
68. Blanchard, Jack; Burns, Dasha (November 20, 2025). "The word Trump hates to say". Politico. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
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External links

Official campaign websites

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