Lt. Gov. Flanagan to Run for Sen. Smith’s Seat in 2026

ST. PAUL (WJON News) -- Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is running for Minnesota’s newly empty Senate seat after Senator Tina Smith announced this morning that she will not seek re-election in 2026.

Flanagan posted to X, “I love Minnesota, and my intention is to run for U.S. Senate and continue to serve the people of this state.”

She says a formal announcement will come late this month.

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Smith says she has loved her job as a U.S. senator but is ready to spend more time with family and her four grandkids.