Who Is Running for Senate in Minnesota
Democrat Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya are the major-party nominees for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat on November 3, 2026. Libertarian Rebecca Whiting and unaffiliated candidate Marisa Simonetti are also on the ballot, and no incumbent is running (Ballotpedia).
Key facts
- The winner serves a six-year term, from January 3, 2027 to January 3, 2033.
- Senator Tina Smith, a Democrat in office since 2018, did not seek re-election.
- Through July 22, 2026, Peggy Flanagan had raised $6.5 million and Michele Tafoya $5.3 million (FEC).
- Minnesota voters can register at their polling place on Election Day.
Candidates for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, November 3, 2026
Source: Ballotpedia, United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2026; write-in candidates not listed
Why Minnesota’s Senate Seat Is Open
The seat is open because Tina Smith, who took office in 2018, announced she would not seek re-election. She won the seat in 2020 over Jason Lewis, 48.8% to 43.6% (Ballotpedia).
Minnesota’s other seat is not on the ballot. Democrat Amy Klobuchar won it in 2024 over Royce White, 56.2% to 40.5%. Klobuchar is the Democratic nominee for governor this year; see the Minnesota governor race guide. Our midterm elections explainer covers the other Senate races on November 3.
Minnesota Senate Primary Results
Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic primary on August 11, 2026 with 58.9% over U.S. Representative Angie Craig, and Michele Tafoya won a nine-way Republican primary with 51.8% (Ballotpedia).
- 58.9%
- Peggy Flanagan's share of 677,301 Democratic primary votes
- 51.8%
- Michele Tafoya's share of 389,726 Republican primary votes
Adam Schwarze finished second in the Republican primary with 23.5%, and Royce White, the party’s 2024 nominee against Klobuchar, finished third with 11.2% (Ballotpedia).
Flanagan and Tafoya Records
Peggy Flanagan has been lieutenant governor since January 7, 2019, and served in the Minnesota House from 2015 to 2019. Ballotpedia describes Michele Tafoya as a former reporter and sports broadcaster and lists no elected office for her (Ballotpedia).
Public offices and careers of Peggy Flanagan and Michele Tafoya
Source: Ballotpedia, United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2026, and Peggy Flanagan
Minnesota Senate Campaign Money
Through July 22, 2026, Peggy Flanagan‘s campaign had raised $6.5 million and Michele Tafoya‘s $5.3 million, according to the Federal Election Commission. Peggy Flanagan had spent $5.5 million and had $1.1 million on hand; Michele Tafoya had spent $4.0 million and had $1.4 million on hand (FEC, Flanagan; FEC, Tafoya).
How to Vote for Senate in Minnesota
Register by October 13, 2026, or register at your polling place on Election Day. A mailed ballot must arrive by 8 p.m. on November 3, 2026 (Minn. Stat. 201.061; 203B.08). Check your registration with the Secretary of State’s voter lookup.
Minnesota's 2026 Senate election, step by step
- September 18, 2026 Absentee voting begins Vote absentee by mail or in person at your county election office.
- October 13, 2026 Pre-registration deadline After this, register at your polling place on Election Day.
- November 3, 2026 Election Day Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m..
- January 3, 2027 The new senator takes office The term runs to January 3, 2033.
Minnesota Senate Questions
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Minnesota in 2026?
Democrat Peggy Flanagan, the lieutenant governor, and Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster. Libertarian Rebecca Whiting and unaffiliated candidate Marisa Simonetti are also on the November 3 ballot.
Why is Tina Smith's Senate seat open?
Senator Tina Smith, a Democrat in office since 2018, announced she would not seek re-election. The winner serves from January 3, 2027 to January 3, 2033.
Who won the 2026 Minnesota Senate primaries?
On August 11, Peggy Flanagan beat U.S. Representative Angie Craig in the Democratic primary, 58.9% to 39.5%. Michele Tafoya won the Republican primary with 51.8%.
How much have Flanagan and Tafoya raised?
Through July 22, 2026, Peggy Flanagan’s campaign had raised $6.5 million and Michele Tafoya’s $5.3 million, according to the Federal Election Commission.
What You Can Do
- Check your registration with the Secretary of State’s voter lookup, or plan to register at the polls.
- Vote early starting September 18, 2026, or return a mailed ballot so it arrives by 8 p.m. on November 3, 2026. After you vote, a Minnesota vote sticker for your profile picture reminds friends that early voting runs through November 2.
- Read both campaigns’ filings on the Federal Election Commission’s pages for Flanagan and Tafoya.
- Contact your current senators, Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, about the votes coming up in Congress. Our letter-writing guide shows how.
- Read the rest of your ballot: the Minnesota governor race is on the same ballot.