Walz not running for open Minnesota Senate seat

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) won’t seek the open Senate seat being vacated by outgoing Sen. Tina Smith (D), taking one of the most prominent names in the state off the list of possible candidates. 

Teddy Tschann, a spokesperson for Walz, announced the decision in a Wednesday statement, saying Walz “loves his job as Governor and he’s exploring the possibility of another term to continue his work to make Minnesota the best state in the country for kids.” 

Walz, who served as former Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 election, is in his second term as governor and is eligible to seek a third term in 2026. 

Smith opened up a race for her successor earlier this month when she announced she wouldn’t run for another term in office next year after having served in the seat since 2018. She cited wanting to spend more time with her family as the reason. 

Walz was initially reported to be considering a Senate run as one of many candidates quickly rumored as potential choices. 

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D) posted on the social platform X quickly after Smith’s announcement that she intended to run for the seat and officially launched her campaign last week. Other possible Democratic candidates who have been floated include Minnesota Reps. Angie Craig and Ilhan Omar and state Attorney General Keith Ellison. 

Walz isn’t expected to endorse any candidate in the primary.

For the GOP nomination, 2024 Senate nominee Royce White is running again, while former sports reporter Michele Tafoya and state Sen. Julia Coleman, who is the daughter-in-law of former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), have expressed interest. 

Democrats are initially favored to win in the blue-leaning state, but Republicans are still eying the seat as a possible pickup opportunity with Smith’s retirement. 

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who leads the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, declared that the seat is in play in 2026.