Democrat Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's lieutenant governor, defeated Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster, in the race for the state's open U.S. Senate seat. The seat opened because DFL Sen. Tina Smith did not seek reelection.
Democrat Peggy Flanagan has been elected U.S. Senator for Minnesota over Republican Michele Tafoya. The Senate seat was open because DFL Sen. Tina Smith did not seek reelection.
Flanagan, the current lieutenant governor, ran as the Democratic Farmer-Labor candidate against Tafoya, the Republican candidate. The two were the major-party nominees in the open race for the Nov. 3, 2026 election, and Tafoya is a former sports broadcaster. Flanagan defeated Angie Craig in the August primaries and is the DFL's endorsed candidate.
On Election Day, Tafoya greeted her supporters and urged patience and optimism. Libertarian Party candidate Rebecca Whiting and independent Marisa Simonetti were also running for the seat. Write-in candidate Alycia Gruenhagen ran to Tafoya's right.
