Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) stated on Feb. 13 that she will not seek reelection at the end of her current term.
She’s the second Democratic senator to announce plans to step down in 2026, joining Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who in January announced his retirement from public office after his current term ends next year.
In a video statement, Smith emphasized that her decision was personal rather than political, citing a desire to spend more time with her growing family.
“After 20 years of hard and rewarding work in the public sector, I’m ready to spend more time with my family,” she said, mentioning her four grandchildren and extended family in Minneapolis….