Tafoya: You Better Believe I’m Running for Senate in Minnesota

A Republican running for statewide office in Minnesota? That has been a Sisyphean task for two decades, and with the exception of Tim Pawlenty, for even longer than that. Overcoming the huge advantage that the progressive/Academia Left has in the Twin Cities is nearly impossible.

And yet, former sportscaster and now Salem Media host Michele Tafoya has decided to try it for herself:

For years, I walked the sidelines when the stakes were the highest, and that job taught me how leadership really works.

I’m running for U.S. Senate to bring that experience to Washington and deliver the real results Minnesota deserves. pic.twitter.com/vDbHWpAXg9

— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) January 21, 2026

CBS News picked up on this after her announcement, but word had leaked out late yesterday after her campaign filed its papers at the Federal Election Commission. Tafoya spoke with their local radio affilate this morning about her determination to reset both Minnesota and the US with her campaign:

“I think Minnesota is in a crisis,” Tafoya told CBS Minnesota station WCCO in an exclusive interview. “I think we have a crisis in leadership and I think the career politicians that got us here are not going to get us out.”

“In terms of policy, we’ve got a middle-class crisis,” Tafoya said. “We’ve got families struggling to pay rent, to pay mortgages, to put groceries on the table. Energy costs need to come down. Schools need to do better.” …

CBS News can confirm Tafoya met last week with the National Republican Senatorial Committee, according to Republican sources familiar with the meeting. The Senate GOP’s campaign arm has been recruiting Tafoya since Smith announced she would not seek reelection, as Republicans look to defend their current 53–47 majority in the upper chamber during this year’s midterm elections. Tafoya’s meeting with the NRSC was first reported by Fox News.

Tafoya won’t get a walk-over to the nomination, even with the blessing of the NRSC. Former NBA player Royce White lost badly to Amy Klobuchar in 2024 but has already entered the primary for another shot at a non-incumbent in this cycle. White’s poor showing in 2024 (he lost by 16 points) is likely why the NRSC was adamant about recruiting Tafoya. Two veterans have also filed for candidacy (Tom Weiler and Adam Schwarze, both US Navy), as well as former state GOP chair David Hann, who will have plenty of connections with which to compete. 

Nevertheless, the NRSC and a significant number of Minnesota Republicans have reason to smile. Tafoya has the best name recognition of the group as well as the kind of public relations skills that could separate her from the pack. With the Democrats stuck between Tim Walz’ lieutenant governor Peggy Flanagan and sorta-moderate Angie Craig in the Democrat primary, neither of whom sets the world on fire in terms of charisma, Tafoya’s camera skills and presence will make a difference.

How much of a difference will it make, though, in a state that went for Kamala Harris by four points and hasn’t elected a non-incumbent Republican for statewide office since 2002? Assuming Tafoya wins the nomination, it might make enough difference to force Democrats to spend resources in Minnesota that they would have spent in more purple-ish states instead. A Tafoya nomination would force Democrats to take the challenge seriously. 

Furthermore, even if this is ultimately a quixotic quest, candidate quality still matters. Both parties need serious and talented individuals to tackle these challenging and sometimes impossible tasks, ensuring that less-prepared nominees don’t create embarrassment and damage that extends beyond their own election. That’s especially true for Republicans, who operate in a harshly biased media environment that makes every Republican gaffe a national story, while burying Democrats’ missteps to the point of omerta.

As always, I treat the idea of Republican statewide victory in Minnesota with a great deal of skepticism, but Tafoya’s entry at least opens up the possibility. She might make Democrats work for it in 2026, and in the process perform a service for which Republican candidates around the country will owe her a debt of gratitude. 

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