Democratic Sen. Tina Smith Makes Shocking Retirement Announcement

Democratic Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said she will not seek reelection for a second term in a shock announcement Thursday.

Smith, who was elected to the Senate in 2018, is the second Democratic incumbent to announce their retirement since Republicans retook Senate control in January. Democratic Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who was expected to face a tough reelection contest, announced his retirement on Jan. 28. (RELATED: Democrats Spiral Into Civil War Over How To Resist Trump, Lashing Out At Their Own Voters)

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

Smith alluded to senators staying well past their “retirement age” as partly contributing to her decision to not seek reelection.

“As much as I love my work, I’m fortunate enough to be able to say that my work is only part of what makes up my life,” Smith wrote in an op-ed in the Minnesota Star-Tribune Thursday. “And after two decades of hard, rewarding work in public service, I’m ready to prioritize other things — starting with my family.”

“My decision, then, has nothing to do with politics,” Smith continued. “It’s entirely personal. But it’s not lost on me that I’m stepping away from elected office at a time when strong, progressive leadership in Washington is more important than ever. As much as I’m looking forward to whatever new adventure awaits in this big, complicated, beautiful world, I know I will be leaving Minnesota’s next senator with some critical work to do.”

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report’s early analysis of the 2026 Minnesota Senate race rates the contest as “Likely Democrat.” The race will likely become more competitive following Smith’s announcement that she will not seek reelection.

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