CBS News projects Peggy Flanagan wins Minnesota 2026 Senate election, preserving Democratic seat
Flanagan holds Minnesota seat
Flanagan’s projected victory preserves the Minnesota Senate seat for Democrats. Sen. Tina Smith had opted not to run for reelection, leaving the seat open. Tafoya, 61, is a former sports broadcaster. She campaigned on restoring accountability amid multimillion-dollar fraud cases that have rattled Minnesota.
A competitive state contest
Tafoya sought to connect Flanagan to the Minnesota governor’s handling of the fraud issue. Republicans hoped to make inroads despite their long Senate-election drought in the state. Minnesota has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 2002. Vice President Kamala Harris won the state by four points in 2024, adding to the GOP’s hopes for a competitive race.
Broader Senate stakes
The projected result closes one of the few opportunities Republicans had to pick up a seat. The Senate map initially appeared to favor the GOP. Competitive contests emerged in states that Mr. Trump won handily in 2024. CBS News projected that those races allowed Democrats to retake control of the chamber.
Key points
- CBS News projects Democrat Peggy Flanagan defeated Michele Tafoya in Minnesota’s Senate race.
- Flanagan’s victory keeps the seat in Democratic hands after Sen. Tina Smith declined to seek reelection.
- Republicans had hoped to gain ground in Minnesota, which has not elected a GOP senator since 2002.
- CBS News projected Democrats retook control of the Senate after competitive races opened in states Mr. Trump won handily in 2024.