A vacant Senate seat is up for election in Minnesota this year, as the faceless and little-known Democrat Tina Smith is retiring. Peggy Flanagan, a far-left activist and our current Lieutenant Governor, is the favorite on the DFL side. Today my friend Michele Tafoya announced her candidacy as a Republican. Michele is a well-known sportscaster–Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, the Olympics, and much else–who has hosted a successful podcast for the last couple of years and has emerged as a conservative spokeswoman.
This is her launch video:
For years, I walked the sidelines when the stakes were the highest, and that job taught me how leadership really works.
I’m running for U.S. Senate to bring that experience to Washington and deliver the real results Minnesota deserves. pic.twitter.com/vDbHWpAXg9
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) January 21, 2026
Full disclosure: I have been urging Michele to run for office for several years. Because I run Minnesota’s leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit, I will not endorse or donate to anyone in the primary contests for governor or senator. I will only say that Michele is a friend, a solid conservative, and a welcome new face in Minnesota politics. And she is very good with a microphone in her hand.
