Sen. Tina Smith, a Minnesota Democrat, pictured here before the pandemic, has been vaccinated along with six of her colleagues in the Minnesota congressional delegation. Photo by Getty Images.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith announced Thursday she would not seek reelection for a second full term in 2026 on Thursday, saying the job has been an honor of a lifetime but she wants to spend more time with her family.
“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,” Smith said in a video posted to social media.
Smith, 66, said she and her husband have welcomed four grandchildren since she took office in 2018.
Smith started her career in the private sector, working in marketing for General Mills, before working on political campaigns. She managed Ted Mondale’s unsuccessful bid for governor in 1998 and Walter Mondale’s unsuccessful bid for Senate in 2002.
She then worked at Planned Parenthood as the vice president for external affairs, an experience she frequently cited in her advocacy for reproductive rights. Smith served as chief of staff to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.
Smith ran on Dayton’s ticket at lieutenant governor in 2014 and served in the role until he appointed her to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Al Franken, who resigned amid allegations of inappropriate conduct at the height of the #MeToo movement.
Over her career, Smith earned the nickname the “velvet hammer” for being an effective behind-the-scenes operator.
In the Senate, she distinguished herself as a key advocate for climate provisions in former President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. She was the architect of a clean power policy aimed at pushing power plants to transition to renewable energy, though it failed to pass.
Smith spoke openly about her battle with depression as she sought to expand access to mental health care.
She also focused on legislation on abortion access, lowering prescription drug prices and improving rural health care.
Smith says she plans to use the two years she has remaining in the Senate to continue advocating for progressive causes.
“I plan to use every single day working as hard as I can to represent your interests in the United States Senate and making your voices heard,” Smith said.
Smith’s exit presents a rare opportunity for Democrats eager to seek higher office without challenging an incumbent. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan already announced her intention to run Thursday. Attorney General Keith Ellison and Gov. Tim Walz, both in their second terms and former members of Congress, could try to return to Washington. Secretary of State Steve Simon’s profile has risen in recent weeks as he’s been at the center of the fight for control of the Minnesota House. Both mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul are in their second terms, and Smith has proven progressive candidates can win statewide elections by turning out voters in the Twin Cities metro. U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is also thought to have ambitions beyond the U.S. House and would have statewide appeal.