Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith made a surprising announcement on Thursday, revealing that she will not seek reelection in 2026.
In a video posted on X, Smith shared that while she has “loved” serving in the Senate, she wants to dedicate more time to her family, particularly her four grandchildren.
“I wanted to tell you myself—I’ve decided not to run for reelection in 2026. Serving as a U.S. senator has been an incredible experience, but after 20 years in public service, I’m ready to focus on my family,” Smith said. “When I first joined the Senate, I didn’t have any grandchildren, but now my husband Archie and I have four. Our sons, Sam and Mason, along with their wives, Emily and Julia, all live in Minneapolis, which means we can be together more often.”
She also mentioned her 95-year-old father and her large extended family, expressing joy at the opportunity to spend more time with them. “Being there for sleepovers, helping out when needed—that’s deeply personal to me, not political,” she explained.
Despite her decision to step away, Smith emphasized the importance of strong progressive leadership in the country. She reassured supporters that she still has nearly two years left in her term and intends to use that time to advocate for their interests in the Senate.
