Here's who is considering running for the open U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota
Multiple people have either tossed their hat into the ring, or confirmed they are at least considering doing so, for the U.S. Senate following Sen. Tina Smith's announcement she will not be running for reelection in 2026.
Democrats already faced an uphill battle in trying to regain control of the Senate, where Republicans have a 53-47 majority that has enabled them to confirm President Trump's cabinet nominees. Smith's retirement will deprive Democrats of an incumbent as they try to recruit candidates for races in states that will likely be tougher for them to win.
While no Republican has won statewide office in Minnesota since 2006, a couple came close in 2022, and the traditionally Democratic state has become increasingly competitive in recent years.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan quickly announced plans to run for Smith's seat on Thursday.
"I love Minnesota and my intention is to run for United States Senate and continue to serve the people of this state," Flanagan said.
Flanagan, the country's highest-ranking Native woman elected to executive office, said on social media she will make a formal announcement later this month.
State Sen. Julia Coleman
Republican state Sen. Julia Coleman told WCCO she is considering running for the seat.
"Right now I'm focused on undoing the immense damage Democrats inflicted on this state, but I am absolutely considering it and talking it over with family, friends and Minnesotans at this time," Julia Coleman said.
Julia Coleman is the daughter-in-law of former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, who served from 2003 to 2009 as a Republican until he lost his seat to Al Franken, whose seat Smith replaced in 2018 following allegations of sexual harassment.
Rep. Angie Craig
Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig said on Feb. 17 that she is seriously considering running for the seat.
"I am giving serious consideration to the open Senate seat in Minnesota," Craig said in a written statement. "I'll be talking to Minnesotans in the weeks ahead about the best way to continue to serve my community and will make a decision in the near future."
Craig was reelected as representative for the state's 2nd Congressional District in November's election, beating out Joe Teirab.
Melisa López Franzen
Melisa López Franzen, a former Senate DFL leader, has announced her bid for the open seat.
In her announcement, she wrote that she'll fight to "bring Minnesota's values of hard work, grit, decency, and common sense to Washington."
López Franzen represented Edina, Bloomington, Eden Prairie and parts of Minnetonka from 2013 to 2022.
Rep. Ilhan Omar
Rep. Ilhan Omar's office confirmed the Minnesota Democrat is also considering running for the open seat.
"Congresswoman Omar will be talking with Minnesotans about the future of the Senate seat and the DFL party in Minnesota," Connor J. McNutt, a spokesperson for Omar, said.
Royce White
Royce White, who lost to U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2024, had already said he would challenge Smith in 2026 as a Republican, and he affirmed on Thursday that he's still running in a post on X that included a photo of him with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who's now Trump's health secretary.
"The People Are Coming and we get the government we deserve," he tweeted.
Will Gov. Tim Walz run for the open U.S. Senate seat?
A spokesperson for Gov. Tim Walz says he will not run for the U.S. Senate and is instead exploring the option of a third term as governor.
Walz, a Democrat, was one name floated as a potential replacement for Smith. The Associated Press reported Walz had "not ruled out" a Senate run, but would not run if Flanagan decided to launch her own campaign.
In an interview with WCCO in February, Walz would not confirm plans for a third term, but said he would "be honored to continue to serve."
He was Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 presidential election, but the pair lost to President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Will Al Franken run for his old seat?
A year after Smith took over Franken's seat in 2018, Franken told The New Yorker that he "absolutely" regretted resigning from the Senate without an ethics investigation.
"I wanted due process, but I had 36 colleagues and a majority leader who wouldn't give it to me, so it was impossible," Franken said. "But you do have some regrets. It was a very weird, tough situation at that moment. I love the Senate. I love the work that I did."
In 2021, Franken said in an interview published by the Massachusetts-based newspaper The Republican he was "keeping his options open." That same year, Franken told CBS Mornings he was not giving active thought to returning to politics, but that he was "open to it."
Franken in a social media post appeared to shut the door on running for his old seat, writing that he would support whoever the Democratic nominee is to replace Smith.
"She's worked hard to make their lives better at every step of her career and has admirably served them in the U.S. Senate," Franken said. "As DFLers, we are lucky to have a deep bench of people who are guided 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."
