Democratic U.S. Senator Tina Smith said she will not seek re-election in 2026, which leaves an open seat in moderately competitive Minnesota and complicates her party's hopes of winning back control of the chamber in the midterm elections.

Smith cited a desire to spend more time with her family as the reason for her decision. Republican Royce White has already announced his candidacy for the open seat. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., on Thursday morning announced that she isn't seeking reelection,

Minnesota’s Democratic Sen. Tina Smith announced Thursday that she will not seek reelection in 2026, a decision that could spark a competitive Democratic primary as the party faces a challenging Senate map next year.