The Minnesota Democrat will leave her party defending another open seat as it confronts an uphill battle to retake the Senate. The move could also prompt a run from Gov. Tim Walz.

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.

Minn., will not seek reelection in 2026. The junior senator from Minnesota first won her seat in 2018 in a special election. Smith won reelection and a full six-year term two years later. Now, she says she's "ready to spend more time with (her) family.