Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith announced Thursday that she will not seek re-election in 2026, further thinning Democrats' chances to retake the Senate during the midterm elections. The decision also sparked speculation about potential candidates to compete for the seat.
Sen. Smith announced her decision in a post on X through a 2-minute video. She cited a desire to spend more time with her four grandchildren and her 94-year-old father. She also said her decision was "entirely personal" and unrelated to politics.
