The 2026 United States Senate election in Minnesota will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Minnesota. Democratic lieutenant governor Peggy Flanagan and Republican former journalist Michele Tafoya are the nominees for their respective parties. Democratic incumbent Tina Smith is not seeking a second full term.
After Smith announced she would not run for re-election, Flanagan and congresswoman Angie Craig sought the Democratic nomination, which Flanagan won on August 11 with 59% of the vote. Tafoya won the Republican nomination with 52.1% of the vote over Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze and former basketball player Royce White.
This will be the first Senate election in Minnesota without an incumbent since 2006. Republicans have not won a Senate election in Minnesota since 2002.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary Background and campaign Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was reportedly considering running for the seat before her assassination in June 2025.
The Democratic primary election between Flanagan and Craig was widely seen as a part of the national struggle between the Democratic Party's progressive and moderate factions since the 2024 U.S. elections, with endorsements split by ideology. Flanagan has rejected accepting donations from corporate PACs or the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC while Craig has defended accepting them. Newsweek called the primary contest an "ideological proxy fight between Bernie Sanders-style progressivism and Bill Clinton-esque 'Third Way' centrism".
Craig reportedly had the private backing of the Democratic Senate leadership, including Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), but they did not endorse her.
Flanagan and Craig condemned the killing of Renée Good by an ICE agent amid Trump's mass deportation campaign. Flanagan said she supported a "complete and total overhaul" of ICE and criticized Craig for being "politically expedient" and voting for the Laken Riley Act and a resolution condemning the 2025 Boulder fire attack and expressing gratitude to ICE agents. Craig said she stood by her votes and that "Flanagan ... is twisting this and trying to create some sort of political advantage ... that is disgusting". Flanagan later expressed support for dismantling ICE and replacing it. Craig called that stance extreme and said it would push away independents.
On May 27, 2026, Craig announced her withdrawal from the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's official endorsement process days before the statewide endorsing convention, saying it "does not reflect the full scope of the party...and the purple state." Craig was on the primary ballot without the party's endorsement. The change followed reporting on an influx of new participants at the state's senate district conventions who supported Flanagan in the backlash against ICE. The Flanagan campaign reported that it was on track to win the endorsement with the support of over 75% of delegates. Flanagan won the endorsement by acclamation at the convention on May 30.
On August 11, 2026, the Associated Press and NBC News called the race for Flanagan, who defeated Craig and others.
Candidates Nominee Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor of Minnesota (2019–present)
Eliminated in primary Kurt M. Anderson, attorney Angie Craig, U.S. representative from (2019–present) George Kalberer, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 and Minnesota's 1st congressional district in 2022 Peter J. Murgic Billy Nord, streaming company manager
Withdrawn Melisa López Franzen, minority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2021–2023) from the 49th district (2013–2023)
Declined Melvin Carter, former mayor of Saint Paul (2018–2026) (endorsed Flanagan) Keith Ellison, attorney general of Minnesota (2019–present) and U.S. representative from (2007–2019) (running for reelection, endorsed Flanagan) Al Franken, former U.S. senator (2009–2018) (endorsed Flanagan) Jacob Frey, mayor of Minneapolis (2018–present) (endorsed Craig) Andrew Luger, former U.S. attorney for the district of Minnesota (2014–2017, 2022–2025) Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative from (2019–present) (running for reelection, endorsed Flanagan) Kelly Morrison, U.S. representative from (2025–present) (running for reelection) Dean Phillips, former U.S. representative from (2019–2025) and candidate for president in 2024 (endorsed Craig) Steve Simon, Minnesota secretary of state (2015–present) (running for reelection) Tina Smith, incumbent U.S. senator (2018–present) (endorsed Flanagan) Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota (2019–present) and Democratic nominee for U.S. vice president in 2024 (ran for reelection, later withdrew)
Endorsements
Fundraising Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate. Campaign finance reports as of July 22, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handAngie Craig (DFL)$12,746,618$9,179,437$3,567,180Peggy Flanagan (DFL)$6,516,273$5,457,669$1,058,604Source: Federal Election Commission
Polling
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AngieCraig PeggyFlanagan Other UndecidedKTSP/SurveyUSAJuly 29 – August 4, 2026513 (LV)±5.3%42%40%3%15%Public Policy Polling (D)July 23–24, 2026672 (LV)32%46%22%KSTP/SurveyUSAJuly 15–20, 2026513 (LV)±5.0%40%40%4%16%Public Policy Polling (D)June 25–26, 2026604 (LV)36%43%22%KSTP/SurveyUSAJune 11–16, 2026513 (LV)±5.2%41%36%6%18%GQR (D)May 31 – June 3, 2026500 (LV)38%55%7%Global Strategy Group (D)May 26–28, 2026600 (LV)±4.0%43%42%13%Public Policy Polling (D)April 29–30, 2026652 (LV)±3.8%33%44%23%GQR (D)January 14–20, 2026600 (LV)36%49%15%Public Policy Polling (D)January 16–17, 2026976 (LV)±3.1%28%40%31%Impact Research (D)January 13–15, 2026600 (LV)±4.0%42%45%3%9%NRSC (R)July 4–7, 2025559 (LV)±3.3%24%30%45%Public Policy Polling (D)February 14–15, 2025668 (LV)22%52%27%
Debate + 2026 United States Senate election in Minnesota Democratic primary debate Date Host Moderator Link Democratic–Farmer–Labor Democratic–Farmer–LaborKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Angie Craig Peggy Flanagan1 June 19, 2026 MPR News Eric EskolaCathy Wurzer YouTube 2 July 27, 2026 MPR News Brian Bakst YouTube
Results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Michele Tafoya, reporter and retired sports broadcaster
Eliminated in primary Bob Carney Jr., perennial candidate Cynthia Gail, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020 Ahmad R. Hassan, perennial candidate and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 Joyce Lacey, candidate for governor in 2022 and Independence nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024 Patrick Munro, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 Adam Schwarze, former Navy SEAL Tom Weiler, retired U.S. Navy officer and nominee for in 2022 Royce White, former NBA player, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024, and candidate for Minnesota's 5th congressional district in 2022
Did not file Alycia Gruenhagen, food co-op manager and Democratic candidate for Minnesota's 7th congressional district in 2020 and 2022, Republican candidate for Minnesota US Senate 2024 Mike Ruoho, business owner Mark York, farmer, computer scientist, and former White House Fellow
Withdrawn David Hann, former Republican Party of Minnesota chair (2021–2025) and minority leader of the Minnesota Senate (2013–2017) Mohamad Muse Ray Petersen, truck driver and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 (running for State Senate)
Declined Willie Burton, former NBA player Julia Coleman, state senator from the 48th district (2021–present) and daughter-in-law of former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2025–present) from district 13A (2019–present) (running for governor) Zach Duckworth, state senator from the 57th district (2021–present) Tom Emmer, U.S. representative from (2015–present) and nominee for governor in 2010 Mike Lindell, former CEO of My Pillow, Inc., advisor to President Donald Trump, and candidate for RNC chair in 2023 (ran for governor, endorsed White) Chris Madel, attorney who represented Ryan Londregan Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota (2003–2011) and candidate for president in 2012 Pete Stauber, U.S. representative from (2019–present) Ryan Wilson, attorney and nominee for state auditor in 2022 (running for lieutenant governor)
Endorsements
Fundraising Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handDavid Hann (R)$133,465$133,465$0Ray Petersen (R)$973$973$0Mike Ruoho (R)$45$550$0Adam Schwarze (R)$1,394,222$1,183,000$211,222Michele Tafoya (R)$4,669,609$2,588,977$2,080,632Tom Weiler (R)$219,869$76,099$145,530Royce White (R)$649,510$740,387$48,231Mark York (R)$74,070$69,528$4,542Source: Federal Election Commission
Polling
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AdamSchwarze MicheleTafoya TomWeiler RoyceWhite Other UndecidedDeep Root Analytics (R)August 3–4, 2026652 (LV)±3.8%18%47%–15%4%15%KSTP/SurveyUSAJuly 29 – August 4, 2026458 (LV)±5.6%5%48%3%13%8%24%KSTP/SurveyUSAJuly 15–20, 2026478 (LV)±5.4%5%41%7%10%8%28%KSTP/SurveyUSAJune 11–16, 2026450 (LV)±5.4%7%36%7%15%27%8%Quantus Insights (R)May 6–9, 2026663 (LV)±4.0%4%52%2%9%6%27%Peak Insights (R)January 31 – February 1, 2026500 (LV)±4.0%4%41%1%11%9%34%
Results
Independents and others Candidates Declared Marisa Simonetti, business owner Rebecca Whiting (Libertarian), farmer, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportSeptember 23, 2026Decision Desk HQOctober 2, 2026The EconomistOctober 3, 2026FiftyPlusOneOctober 3, 2026Fox NewsSeptember 22, 2026Inside ElectionsOctober 1, 2026RealClearPoliticsSeptember 24, 2026Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 22, 2026Silver BulletinOctober 3, 2026Split TicketOctober 3, 2026
Post-primary endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of July 22, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handPeggy Flanagan (DFL)$6,516,273$5,457,669$1,058,604Michele Tafoya (R)$5,337,942$3,965,545$1,372,728Source: Federal Election Commission
Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregation Datesadministered DatesupdatedPeggyFlanagan (DFL)MicheleTafoya (R)Other/Undecided Margin270toWinSeptember 11–30, 2026September 30, 202644.8%43.3%11.9%Flanagan +1.5%Decision Desk HQthrough September 30, 2026October 2, 202644.1%42.0%13.9%Flanagan +2.1%FiftyPlusOnethrough September 30, 2026October 2, 202644.6%42.5%12.9%Flanagan +2.1%Race to the WHthrough September 30, 2026October 2, 202645.3%43.1%11.6%Flanagan +2.2%RealClearPoliticsAugust 31 – September 30, 2026October 2, 202644.8%43.2%12.0%Flanagan +1.6%Silver Bulletinthrough September 29, 2026September 30, 202645.5%42.9%11.6%Flanagan +2.6%Average44.9%42.8%12.3%Flanagan +2.1%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorPeggyFlanagan (DFL)MicheleTafoya (R) Other UndecidedBig Data Poll (R)September 29–30, 2026622 (LV)± 4.0%40%38%7%15%46%44%10%–InsiderAdvantage (R)September 28–29, 20261,200 (LV)±3.0%46%45%3%6%co/efficient (R)September 14–15, 2026833 (LV)±3.4%43%42%4%11%KSTP/SurveyUSASeptember 9–14, 2026654 (LV)±4.4%42%42%4%12%Quantus Insights (R)September 8–10, 2026720 (LV)±4.2%48%44%–7%TIPP Insights (R)August 31 – September 2, 20261,494 (RV)± 2.7%40%38%8%14%1,201 (LV)± 3.0%44%42%6%8%Deep Root Analytics (R)August 17–18, 2026597 (RV)±4.0%50%45%–5%KTSP/SurveyUSAAugust 13–17, 2026661 (LV)±4.3%46%41%2%11%August 11, 2026 Primary elections are heldImpact Research (D)May 26–28, 2026808 (LV)±3.5%51%44%–7%Emerson CollegeFebruary 6–8, 20261,000 (LV)±3.0%47%41%4%8%Impact Research (D)July 8–11, 2025604 (LV)±4.0%48%45%–7%
Angie Craig vs. Michele Tafoya Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorAngieCraig (DFL)MicheleTafoya (R)UndecidedImpact Research (D)May 26–28, 2026808 (LV)±3.5%51%44%7%Emerson CollegeFebruary 6–8, 20261,000 (LV)±3.0%47%40%13%Impact Research (D)July 8–11, 2025604 (LV)±4.0%49%45%6% Angie Craig vs. Generic Republican