Ilhan Omar and Tim Walz being floated to replace Tina Smith in Senate

Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., announced her retirement effective next year to spend more time with her family, stating, “This decision is not political, it is entirely personal.” Potential candidates for Smith’s Senate seat include Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar, according to sources.

Minnesota has not had an open-seat Senate race since 2006, making Smith’s decision significant for national attention. Sen. Amy Klobuchar expressed optimism about finding a suitable replacement, saying, “I’m actually excited to make room for new leaders to step into this role.”