Senate race · 2026

Minnesota Senate Race

This is an open seat election for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota, as DFL U.S. Sen. Tina Smith announced she would not seek reelection. The Democratic primary saw a competitive race between a progressive and a centrist candidate.

All 2026 races

2 candidates · what each one campaigns on

Peggy Flanagan

Democratic

Currently: Lieutenant Governor

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Minnesota Democratic Senate primary, defeating centrist U.S. Rep. Angie Craig.

Campaign platform

Israel-Gaza Conflict
Flanagan believes Israel is committing 'genocide' in Gaza and would have supported cutting $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel.
DefenseSource
Trade Tariffs
Flanagan stated that tariffs have created uncertainty for agricultural producers and Congress should reclaim authority over trade policy.
EconomySource
Right-to-Repair
Flanagan cited right-to-repair legislation as a priority to support farmers.
AgricultureSource
Maternity Care Closures
Flanagan supports Sen. Ron Wyden’s Keeping Obstetrics Local Act to stabilize labor and delivery economics and investigate closures.
HealthSource
Progressive Policies
Flanagan's campaign pledged to fight the influence of corporations and confront Republican President Donald Trump.
DemocracySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Adam Schwarze

Republican

Adam Schwarze is the GOP-endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota.

Campaign platform

Government Regulation
Schwarze stated that farmers want the government to 'get government out of the way' regarding agricultural practices.
AgricultureSource
Farmland Preservation
Schwarze advocates for keeping family farms in families and preventing good farmland from being used for solar panels.
AgricultureSource
Lower federal taxes
Supports reducing the federal tax burden on Minnesota families and small businesses.
EconomySource
Death Taxes
Schwarze supports getting rid of 'death taxes' to help keep family farms from being absorbed by large corporations.
EconomySource
Parental control in education
Backs giving parents more authority over curriculum and school decisions.
EducationSource
Eligibility rules in women's sports
Supports restricting women's sports competition to athletes assigned female at birth.
Justice & Public SafetySource
Supports tariff policy
Backs tariffs as a tool to protect domestic manufacturing.
EconomySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Platform items are drawn from candidates’ own campaign materials and public reporting, summarised neutrally. They are what a candidate says they will do — not a judgement about whether they will do it. Once a candidate is serving in Congress, their record moves to the The Informed Ballot profiles.