Senator Tina Smith will not seek reelection in 2026

Senate Dems are not going to like this. They already needed to make up a deficit against Republicans to win back the Senate majority in 2026, and that task just became more difficult by one seat.

Senator Tina Smith, a Democrat from Minnesota, announced on February 13 that she will retire instead of seeking reelection in 2026.

The decision sets up a battle in the Democrat-leaning state.

While Smith did win her seat by five points against her Republican challenger in 2020, Democrats would much prefer an established incumbent running for it again instead of having to convince the public that they can trust a new face.

Smith's decision will cause Democrats to put at least some thought and money into replacing her, when they probably would have preferred to watch the incumbent sail to an easy victory.

Democrats have a decent shot to win back some of the seats they're currently missing as the Senate's 47-53 minority, but their campaign resources are being stretched thinner and thinner.

Last month, Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat from Michigan, announced he would not run for reelection in Michigan, another battleground state.

Smith announced that she was stepping down on February 13.

I’ve decided not to run for re-election to the Senate in 2026.

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

— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) February 13, 2025

It wasn't a political decision, Smith simply wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren.

"After 20 years of hard and rewarding work in the public sector, I’m ready to spend more time with my family," she said.

Republicans see Smith's retirement as something that brings Minnesota's Senate seat into play for Republicans.

"Minnesota is in play, and we play to win. Minnesotans deserve a Senator who will fight for lower taxes, economic opportunity, and safer communities," National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott said.