Minnesota lieutenant governor launches Senate bid
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan launched her official campaign Thursday for the U.S. Senate, running to succeed retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) in the 2026 election cycle.
“Today, I’m officially launching my campaign for the U.S. Senate to go to D.C. and speak in a loud and clear voice for ALL of Minnesota,” Flanagan wrote in a post on social platform X, noting that, “In Ojibwe, my name means ‘speaks in a loud and clear voice woman.’”
“Throughout my career, I’ve worked to live up to my name,” she continued. “On the school board, in the state house, and as lieutenant governor, I’ve fought for kitchen-table issues that impact children and families.”
Flanagan touted her efforts in her state to raise the minimum wage, expand paid family and medical leave, and provide free school meals for children, saying, “Now, I’m running to take Minnesota values to D.C.”
Flanagan — who previously said she intended to run for the seat — enters an open Democratic field for the left-leaning Midwestern state.
Several high-profile Democrats are also reported to be considering a bid. Politico reported that Gov. Tim Walz (D), who served as then-Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 running mate and who is in his second term, isn’t ruling out a Senate run.
Punchbowl News reported that national and state leaders are encouraging Rep. Angie Craig (D) to run for the seat. Axios reported Rep. Ilhan Omar (D), a member of the progressive “squad,” isn’t ruling out a run and will be “talking with Minnesotans” about the future of the seat and the state party.
One prominent Minnesota Democrat, former Rep. Dean Phillips, who ran for the Democratic nomination for president last year, has said he wouldn’t run for Senate in 2026.
Smith announced last week that she will not run for reelection in 2026, making her the second Senate Democrat to announce a 2026 retirement after Michigan Sen. Gary Peters revealed last month that he wouldn’t seek another term.
Smith said the country needs “strong, progressive leadership” and the state has a “deep bench of political talent” that is ready to pick up the work. She said she’s eager to make room for them to move up.
While Minnesota has been a key part of the Democratic coalition for decades, having not elected a Republican senator since 2002, the GOP may eye the seat and attempt to flip it. President Trump and other Republicans have at times expressed hope about their future prospects in the state, and Harris only carried it in November by about 4 points over Trump.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D), Minnesota’s other senator, won her race in November by more than 15 points.
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