Amid Minnesota’s scandal and unrest, Michele Tafoya jumps into Senate race

Michele Tafoya, the former NFL sideline reporter, has officially entered Minnesota’s 2026 U.S. Senate race.

Her announcement immediately energized Republicans, who see a real opening in a state that’s been rocked by one political crisis after another — and is turning out to be far more divided than many people realize.

She’s stepping onto the field at a chaotic moment. Gov. Tim Walz and other Democrats are still dealing with a major fraud scandal — one serious enough that he dropped his reelection bid.

At the same time, President Trump’s sharp focus on the Somali community in the Twin Cities and recent immigration enforcement, including a shooting by an ICE agent, have sparked protests and clashes with federal officers.

Layered on top of all that, Minnesota is still processing the shocking shooting deaths of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband last year.

Against that backdrop, Ms. Tafoya is presenting herself as a frustrated outsider who believes leaders in Minnesota and Washington have failed to meet the needs of taxpayers.

In her announcement video, she said: “For too long, hardworking people have been ripped off by criminals, corporations and career politicians, and the people doing everything right are paying the biggest price.

“Well, I’m not going to stay on the sidelines any longer. Starting today, I’m running for the United States Senate.”

She vowed to “clean up the system, fighting corruption, ending the fraud and protecting your tax dollars,” as well as “protect what’s fair and safe, standing with our law enforcement officers, deporting dangerous criminals and keeping female sports for female athletes.”

Ms. Tafoya is running for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.

With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate, flipping this seat would effectively shut down Democrats’ slim hopes of retaking the upper chamber.

Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, said Ms. Tafoya is likely the GOP’s strongest contender, thanks to her name recognition and potential appeal in the suburbs — the area that will probably decide the race.

But before she gets there, she has to win a Republican primary that includes former NBA player Royce White, ex-Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze and former state GOP Chair David Hann, all of whom could pull her further to the right and complicate her standing with suburban voters.

“The last time California native Michele Tafoya stepped onto the political playing field, she called pro-life Republicans ’stupid,’ demanded they abandon their heartfelt fight to ban abortion, and said to Donald Trump, ’If you genuinely love America,’ you won’t run against Joe Biden,” Mr. Hann said in response to Ms. Tafoya’s announcement, alluding to a 2022 post she wrote on Substack, urging the president not to run again.

Mr. Jacobs said a big unknown is what the political climate will look like this coming fall.

“Is the focus going to be on fraud? Is it going to be on the nature of the protests?” he said. “Or is it going to be on Donald Trump and economic concerns, anxiety and affordability?

“If you look at the history of midterm elections, it is likely to be the latter. So the question is: Will the quality of the candidate be able to overcome the Trump drag?”

Whoever wins the GOP primary will face Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan or Rep. Angie Craig, who are competing in the Democratic primary.

Ms. Craig tested an early line of attack on Wednesday, warning supporters in a fundraising email that Ms. Tafoya “wants you to think she’s a moderate — but her mask is slipping.

“She’s a Trump loyalist through and through, and it’s clearer than ever that she’ll rubber-stamp his extreme agenda if Minnesotans send her to Washington.”

Meanwhile, the state’s fraud scandal continues to erode public trust and fuel partisan fighting. It’s also intensifying speculation that Sen. Amy Klobuchar may run for governor — a move many Democrats would welcome, given her strong statewide operation.

Mr. Jacobs noted that it would be difficult for Republicans to tie Ms. Klobuchar to the scandal, and she could help energize Democrats and blunt Ms. Tafoya’s appeal in the suburbs.

National Republicans, for their part, wasted no time rallying behind Ms. Tafoya.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who leads the GOP’s Senate campaign arm, endorsed her immediately.

“From allowing billions of dollars in fraud to vilifying law enforcement, the Walz-Flanagan administration has failed Minnesotans,” Mr. Scott said in a statement. “But change is coming, and Michele Tafoya will lead the way.”

He added, “Michele is the only candidate with the common-sense leadership Minnesotans are desperately craving, and her message of safety, opportunity, and prosperity would be a welcome addition to our Senate majority.”