In her video message, Smith expressed her fondness for the position, stating she is “eager to dedicate more time to my family.” She mentioned that her children and grandchildren have relocated to Minneapolis and that her father is set to celebrate his 95th birthday this summer.

“This choice is purely personal, not political. However, I recognize the urgent need for strong progressive leadership in our country, perhaps now more than ever,” she remarked.

At 66 years old, Smith was first appointed to the Senate in 2017 to fill the seat vacated by former Senator Al Franken following his resignation amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Smith secured a special election victory the year after and won re-election in 2020 for a full six-year term.

Smith has been a prominent figure in Minnesota politics long before her Senate tenure, having served as the state’s lieutenant governor and previously as a senior aide to influential Democratic leaders.

She is the second Senate Democrat to announce their retirement ahead of the 2026 midterms, following Michigan’s Senator Gary Peters. This development implies that Democrats will need to safeguard at least two open seats as they navigate a challenging path to retaining control of the Senate.

Currently, the Senate consists of 53 Republicans and 47 senators aligning with the Democrats. The Democratic Party must achieve a net gain of four seats to regain control of the chamber, with Vice President JD Vance holding the tie-breaking vote.

Nevertheless, Democrats are optimistic about retaining Smith’s seat in Minnesota, where Vice President Kamala Harris won by 4 points in the previous November election. The last time Republicans secured a statewide victory in Minnesota was in 2006, when Tim Pawlenty narrowly won re-election as governor.

“No Republican has triumphed in a Minnesota Senate race in over two decades, and I believe Democrats will maintain this seat in 2026,” commented David Bergstein, spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump achieved the best outcome for a Republican candidate in Minnesota in two decades, garnering just under 47% of the total votes.

A Potentially Competitive Race

This unexpected vacancy could lead to a highly competitive primary among Democrats aiming for higher office.

“Minnesota has an impressive pool of political talent, with leaders ready to step up and drive us forward,” Smith mentioned in her video announcement.

“I look forward to making space for them to take the next steps.”

Smith did not endorse a potential successor during a brief interaction with reporters in Washington, expressing her desire to provide ample notice for prospective candidates to contemplate their options.

This marks the most high-profile open seat in Minnesota since 2018, when former Representative Tim Walz entered the governor’s race and won. Walz has yet to announce whether he intends to run for a third gubernatorial term in 2026. If he opts out, the open gubernatorial race could influence the Senate contest.

Walz has not dismissed the possibility of running for the Senate, while also considering a third term as governor, as per a source close to him.

Meanwhile, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan indicated her intention to enter the race, stating on X, “I love Minnesota, and I plan to run for the U.S. Senate to continue serving the people of this state. I will make a formal announcement later this month.”

All statewide offices in Minnesota are currently held by Democrats, with Flanagan and Attorney General Keith Ellison being the most prominent figures.

Congressional members are also potential candidates. Rep. Angie Craig, who has consistently won significant races in her suburban Minneapolis district, has been mentioned as a contender by a Democratic strategist.

When queried about Craig as a possible candidate, Smith referred to her as a “very good friend.”

Republicans have struggled to secure Senate victories in Minnesota since narrowly losing to Franken in 2008; however, an open seat may encourage more notable Republican candidates to consider entering the race.

Former professional basketball player Royce White was the GOP candidate in the last election against Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, losing by a significant 16-point margin, a far larger gap compared to the presidential election results.