Minnesota is choosing a new U.S. senator to replace Democrat Tina Smith, who announced in 2025 that she would not run again. The main contenders are Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter. Libertarian Rebecca Whiting and independent Marisa Simonetti are also on the ballot.
Flanagan has served as lieutenant governor alongside Gov. Tim Walz since 2019 and previously served in the Minnesota House and on the Minneapolis School Board. She beat U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in the August primary. Her endorsements include Smith, former President Barack Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders, KSTP reports.
Tafoya is new to politics. She defeated the Republican Party's endorsed candidate in the primary and has President Trump's endorsement. She has called herself a pro-choice Republican and has stressed tougher penalties for fraud. She is trying to become Minnesota's first Republican U.S. senator since 2009.
University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs told MPR News that Flanagan has framed the race as a referendum on Trump, focusing on tariffs, the war with Iran and rising costs. Tafoya has tried to tie Flanagan to fraud in state programs that happened during her time in office. Jacobs said the race likely comes down to who gets an edge in the suburbs. Flanagan needs big turnout in the Twin Cities, and Tafoya is counting on greater Minnesota.
Polls going into Election Day gave Flanagan a slight edge. The Cook Political Report moved the race from Likely Democratic to Lean Democratic.
Ballots are counted by state and local election officials. Raw 100.5 does not call races. Like NPR and PBS, we rely on the Associated Press, which declares a winner only when it determines a trailing candidate has no path left to win.
Sources: Associated Press, KSTP, MPR News, The Hill, Cook Political Report