Democratic Sen. Tina Smith Makes Shock Retirement Announcement

Democratic Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said she will not seek reelection for a second term in a shock announcement Thursday.

Smith, who was first elected to the Senate in a 2018 special election, is the second Democratic incumbent to announce retirement since Republicans retook Senate control in January. Democratic Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who was likely to face a tough reelection contest, announced his retirement on Jan. 28.

Smith alluded to senators staying well past their “retirement age” as partly contributing to her decision to not seek reelection.

“As much as I love my work, I’m fortunate enough to be able to say that my work is only part of what makes up my life,” Smith wrote in an op-ed in the Minnesota Star-Tribune Thursday. “And after two decades of hard, rewarding work in public service, I’m ready to prioritize other things — starting with my family.”

“My decision, then, has nothing to do with 🏛️Politics,” Smith continued. “It’s entirely personal. But it’s not lost on me that I’m stepping away from elected office at a time when strong, progressive leadership in Washington is more important than ever. As much as I’m looking forward to whatever new adventure awaits in this big, complicated, beautiful world, I know I will be leaving Minnesota’s next senator with some critical work to do.”

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report’s early analysis of the 2026 Minnesota Senate race rates the contest as “Likely Democrat.” The race will likely become more competitive following Smith’s announcement that she will not seek reelection.

Senate Republicans’ campaign arm said the open Senate seat is “in play” following Smith’s retirement announcement.

“Minnesota is in play, and we play to win,” Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee said in a press release Thursday. “Minnesotans deserve a Senator who will fight for lower taxes, economic opportunity, and safer communities.”

Many Democratic candidates are expected to jump in the race following Smith’s surprise announcement. Democratic Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced Thursday she intends to run in the Democratic primary.

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