Finding out who is the senator from Minnesota sounds like a simple Google search, but honestly, it’s a bit of a moving target right now. As of January 2026, Minnesota is represented in the U.S. Senate by two Democrats: Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.
That’s the short answer. The long answer involves a high-stakes political shuffle that’s basically turning the Land of 10,000 Lakes into a giant game of musical chairs.
You see, Amy Klobuchar just won her fourth term in 2024. She’s the senior senator and has been in D.C. since 2007. Then there's Tina Smith, who has been there since 2018. But here is where it gets kinda complicated: Tina Smith has already announced she isn't running for reelection this November. Yeah, her seat is wide open for the 2026 midterms.
To make things even weirder, there is a massive rumor mill churning about Klobuchar. Even though she just secured another six years in the Senate, she is reportedly "seriously considering" jumping ship to run for Governor of Minnesota. Why? Because Governor Tim Walz recently announced he won’t seek a third term. If she runs and wins the governor's mansion, she’d actually get to appoint her own replacement in the Senate. It’s a wild time for Minnesota politics.
The Senior Senator: Amy Klobuchar’s Staying Power
Amy Klobuchar is basically a permanent fixture in Minnesota politics at this point. In the 2024 election, she beat Republican challenger Royce White by a solid 15.7%. While that was actually the "weakest" performance of her career—she usually wins by 20 points or more—it still showed she has a massive grip on the state.
She's known for a "North Star" pragmatism. People in D.C. know her for her work on the Judiciary Committee and her focus on things like consumer protection and antitrust laws. Back home, she’s the one you see at the State Fair every single year, usually with some kind of food on a stick.
But as we sit here in early 2026, her focus might be shifting. With Governor Walz stepping aside, the pressure on Klobuchar to come home and lead the state is intense. If she does run for Governor, she doesn't even have to resign her Senate seat to do it. Minnesota isn't a "resign-to-run" state. She only has to quit if she actually wins the governorship.
Tina Smith and the 2026 Open Seat
Then we have Tina Smith. She’s the junior senator, but she’s been far from quiet. Smith was originally appointed to the seat in 2018 after Al Franken resigned. Since then, she’s won two elections of her own, but she’s decided that 2026 is her finish line.
✨ Don't miss: Who Owns Jeffrey Epstein's Island: What Most People Get Wrong
She told folks in early 2025 that she wanted to spend more time with her family. Twenty years in the public sector is a long time. Honestly, it’s a huge blow for the Minnesota DFL (that’s what they call the Democratic party up there).
Because Smith is stepping down, the 2026 race is going to be one of the most watched in the entire country. We haven't had an open Senate seat in Minnesota without an incumbent running since 2006. That’s twenty years of stability suddenly going out the window.
Who wants the job?
Since Tina Smith is leaving, every ambitious politician in the state is checking their bank account and calling donors. On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has already jumped in. If she wins, she’d be the first Native American woman in the U.S. Senate. Representative Angie Craig is also a huge name being floated.
On the Republican side, things are still a bit of a scramble. They haven't won a statewide race in Minnesota since 2006, so they see this open seat as their best shot in a generation. Names like State Representative Lisa Demuth or even former NBA player Royce White (who ran in 2024) are often in the conversation.
Why Minnesota’s Senate Seats Matter Nationally
You might wonder why anyone outside of Minneapolis or Duluth cares about who is the senator from Minnesota. Well, it’s because the state is a "purple" bellwether. While Democrats have won most recent elections, the margins are getting thinner.
👉 See also: America White Population Percentage: What Most People Get Wrong
- The Majority at Stake: In 2026, the Senate is almost perfectly split. A single seat flipping in Minnesota could decide which party controls the entire chamber.
- The "Klobuchar Factor": If Amy Klobuchar leaves for the Governor's office, her replacement will be appointed by the Governor. If Walz is still in office when she leaves, he picks. If she wins and then leaves, she picks. That's a lot of power.
- Midterm Trends: Usually, the party in the White House loses seats during the midterms. Since we’re in a midterm year, Republicans are smelling blood in the water.
What You Should Do Next
If you live in Minnesota, your vote is about to become incredibly valuable. The primary elections are set for August 11, 2026, and the general election is November 3, 2026.
Start by making sure your voter registration is up to date through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. With Tina Smith retiring, there will be a flood of campaign ads and "town halls." Take the time to look past the 30-second TV spots. Both parties are in a bit of an identity crisis right now—progressives vs. moderates on the left, and MAGA vs. traditional conservatives on the right.
Keep a close eye on Amy Klobuchar’s social media and local news outlets like MPR or the Star Tribune over the next few weeks. If she announces a run for Governor, the race for who is the senator from Minnesota might actually double. You could end up voting for two different Senate seats in a very short window if a special election is triggered.
✨ Don't miss: The List of Executive Orders Trump Will Sign: What You Actually Need to Know
Check your registration status at the Minnesota Secretary of State website and mark August 11 on your calendar. That’s the day you’ll actually get to help decide who the next generation of Minnesota leadership will be.