On Thursday, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith announced that she would not seek reelection in 2026.
“I wanted you to hear directly from me that I have decided not to run for reelection to the United States Senate,” Smith said in a video posted to X. “After 20 years of hard and rewarding work in the public sector, I’m ready to spend more time with my family.”
“This decision is not political, it is entirely personal…Our country is in need of strong, progressive leadership right now, maybe more than ever,” she added, before stating that she would work to push radical leftist policies.
“I can focus entirely on this job right now,” she claimed, stating that other leaders in Minnesota are ready to replace her and pick up where she left off.
“This job has been the honor of a lifetime. For the rest of my term, I’ll work as hard as I can for Minnesotans and our country,” she wrote in the caption of the video. “Thank you so much, Minnesota.”
I’ve decided not to run for re-election to the Senate in 2026.
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) February 13, 2025
This job has been the honor of a lifetime. For the rest of my term, I’ll work as hard as I can for Minnesotans and our country.
Thank you so much, Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/3sWVib8nKJ
Smith, 66, has represented the North Star State in the Senate since 2018. She was appointed in 2017 to fill a vacancy in the Senate left by Sen. Al Franken (D) when he resigned.
Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin reacted to the news on X.
"The Senate won't be the same without my twin by my side," she said.
The Senate won't be the same without my twin by my side. 👯
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) February 13, 2025
Tina is a fighter for Minnesotans, a fierce advocate for women’s rights, and truly a great friend. While we still have a few years to work together, wishing you a happy and well-deserved retirement. https://t.co/qmOLHvPiru pic.twitter.com/obZdHeD0pm
Before that, she served as the state's lieutenant governor and as an aide to Democrat politicians.
She is the second Senate Democrat to announce her departure from the Senate. Last month, Michigan Sen. Gary Peters announced that he would not seek reelection.