Walz out, while Royce White and Adam Schwarz join Peggy Flanagan in race for Tina Smith's U.S. Senate seat
Feb 27, 2025 10:20AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Bao Chau
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 27, 2025
Earlier this month, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced she would not run for an additional term in 2026. Shortly after that announcement, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan launched her official campaign for the seat, which left many wondering who, if anyone, would also run.
Congressman Pete Stauber announced that he would not be running for the seat, telling Northern News Now in Duluth that " he feels he can make more of a difference in his current role in the U.S. House of Representatives."
Speculation rose on whether Governor Tim Walz would run for the seat, especially after his 2024 Vice President campaign. Before becoming Minnesota's governor, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota's District 1 from 2007-2019. However, he has officially announced that he will not pursue the position, but may consider running for a third term as governor in 2026. If elected, he would become the state's longest-serving governor.
Others who have officially announced a campaign include Royce White (R), who ran against U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar but lost in the November 2024 election by over 500,000 votes. In his campaign statement on X (formerly Twitter), White shared why he planned to run again: "I'm running again because I'm 33 years old and I learned so much from the 1st campaign. It goes to waste if we let establishment shills convince us this isn't a "We The People" movement."
Adam Schwarze (R), a former US Navy Seal and Marine, also announced his intention to run. In a press release, Schwarze said he plans to focus on "policies that strengthen America-securing the border, revitalizing the economy, supporting law enforcement, standing up for parental rights, and ensuring the United States remains the world's leading force for freedom and prosperity."
According to the Federal Election Commission, Mike Ruoho (R) and Raymond Petersen (R) have also filed a Statement of Candidacy for the 2026 Senate seat race.
Earlier this month, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced she would not run for an additional term in 2026. Shortly after that announcement, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan launched her official campaign for the seat, which left many wondering who, if anyone, would also run.
Congressman Pete Stauber announced that he would not be running for the seat, telling Northern News Now in Duluth that " he feels he can make more of a difference in his current role in the U.S. House of Representatives."
Speculation rose on whether Governor Tim Walz would run for the seat, especially after his 2024 Vice President campaign. Before becoming Minnesota's governor, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota's District 1 from 2007-2019. However, he has officially announced that he will not pursue the position, but may consider running for a third term as governor in 2026. If elected, he would become the state's longest-serving governor.
Others who have officially announced a campaign include Royce White (R), who ran against U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar but lost in the November 2024 election by over 500,000 votes. In his campaign statement on X (formerly Twitter), White shared why he planned to run again: "I'm running again because I'm 33 years old and I learned so much from the 1st campaign. It goes to waste if we let establishment shills convince us this isn't a "We The People" movement."
Adam Schwarze (R), a former US Navy Seal and Marine, also announced his intention to run. In a press release, Schwarze said he plans to focus on "policies that strengthen America-securing the border, revitalizing the economy, supporting law enforcement, standing up for parental rights, and ensuring the United States remains the world's leading force for freedom and prosperity."
According to the Federal Election Commission, Mike Ruoho (R) and Raymond Petersen (R) have also filed a Statement of Candidacy for the 2026 Senate seat race.
