Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota is not seeking re -election that deals with blowing for the Democrats’ hope of taking the Senate

St. Paul, Minn. (AP) – USA Senator Tina Smith By Minnesota said on Thursday that she will not seek re -election and has a blow to her colleagues Democrats’ hope of re -taking the Senate in 2026.

Smith published the message in a video that was sent to social media and set off what is sure to be an encryption of potential candidates in both major political parties to fill her open seat.

The Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was quick to make a statement that said she is planning to drive. And government manager Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris’ race buddy in 2024, is considering it, according to a person who spoke with the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity and was not authorized to discuss the matter in public. Rep. Ilhan Omar is also considering a race, said her chief of staff, Connor McNutt.

Democrats were already facing an uphill in an attempt to regain control of the Senate, where Republicans have a 53-47 majority that has enabled them to confirm President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominated. Smith’s retirement will deprive the Democrats an established as they try to recruit candidates for races in states that are likely to be harder for them to win.

While no Republicans have won the State Office in Minnesota since 2006, a few came close to 2022, and the traditional democratic state has become more and more competitive in recent years.

The 66-year-old Smith, who was originally appointed to end late. Al Franken after Franken after He retired in the midst of accusations of sexual mismatchsaid she will spend more time with her family after 20 years of work in the public sector.

“This decision is not political. It’s completely personal, ”Smith said. “But it’s not lost to me that our country needs a strong, progressive leadership right now, maybe more than ever.”

Smith said she is planning to spend the two years back during her period working to represent Minnesota’s interests in the Senate without having to worry about driving for re -election. But she also said that there are democratic leaders who are ready to step up.

“We have a deep bench of political talent in Minnesota, a group of leaders who are more than ready to get the work and lead us forward,” she said. “And I’m excited to make room for them to move on. “

Smith was Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor when Government Manager Mark Dayton appointed her to complete the Fran’s period after retiring in late 2017. She took office in January 2018 and held the seat as she faced the voters at the November election. She won a full six-year period in 2020.

She had previously worked as Chief of Staff for Dayton and Minneapoli Mayor RT Rybak and was performing with Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Flanagan said she will give a formal notice of her candidacy later this month.

“Senator Smith has paved the way for so many women like me throughout her career,” Flanagan said in a statement. “She uses her voice to hard to defend the people of Minnesota. She is fought for small businesses, farmers and those overlooked so they can have a fair shot on financial success. “

But Franken stated that he will not run and said he will support his party’s nominees. Minnesota -Democrats he posted on X, ”are lucky to have a deep bench of people led by Paul Wellstone’s words: We all do better when we all do better. I look forward to supporting the candidate we nominate to work on behalf of Minnesotans in Washington. “

Other co -democrats also paid tribute to Smith for his long years of service.

“Tina has always done work to improve people’s lives: lowering the price of insulin, improving access to mental healthcare, adopting historical climate program and our party’s master of reproductive freedom,” Walz wrote online. “Minnesotans will miss having her in the Senate.”

Minnesota’s Senior Senator, Amy Klobuchar, Smith called a long -time friend.

“Her quiet but effective controlling style served her the title The Velvet Hammer,” Klobuchar said in a statement. “While Tina and I continue to work together for the next two years, our friendship and her legacy will be life.”

And the Senate Democrat leader, Chuck Schumer of New York, said he thinks they can keep her seat in democratic hands.

“Tina Smith has been a remarkable senator – smart, compassionate and tireless in her commitment to Minnesota and the country,” Schumer said in a statement. “While I will be deeply missing her leadership and friendship in the Senate, I have no doubt what her inheritance of service will continue to inspire.

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This story has been directed to show that no Republican, not a Democrat, has won the State Office in Minnesota since 2006.