Former NFL journalist Michele Tafoya formally entered Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race on Tuesday, filing paperwork to run for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tina Smith. Tafoya’s move gives Republicans a notable recruit as they look to flip the seat and force Democrats to defend turf in a state that typically leans blue.
Tafoya, who spent years as a sideline reporter for NBC Sports Group and was a familiar face on Sunday Night Football until leaving the network in 2022, has long been rumored as a potential Republican candidate. Her entry into the race follows months of speculation and comes after she has used social media to sharply criticize Democratic contenders, including Rep. Angie Craig and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, both of whom are seeking the Democratic nomination.
Republicans see Tafoya as a strong addition to the field, particularly given her name recognition and media background. Her candidacy is expected to force Democrats to spend time and money defending the seat, even in a state where Democrats typically enjoy an advantage. That dynamic could become more pronounced as Democrats continue to grapple with a statewide fraud scandal that has drawn increased attention and scrutiny.
Tafoya’s decision to jump into the race is also likely to intensify internal Democratic debates over electability. Craig has already pointed to her record of winning tough races in a competitive House district as evidence that she is best positioned to hold the seat. Her supporters have contrasted that experience with Flanagan’s more progressive profile, suggesting that the primary could become a referendum on which style of Democrat is most viable in a statewide contest.
For Republicans, however, the path is not without obstacles. The party has not won a statewide election in Minnesota since 2006, when former Gov. Tim Pawlenty secured a second term. That long drought underscores the challenge Tafoya and the GOP face in trying to flip a Senate seat in the North Star State.
At the same time, the political environment in Minnesota remains unsettled. The ongoing fraud scandal has fueled criticism of Democratic leadership, including Gov. Tim Walz, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek a third term. That controversy has provided Republicans with new lines of attack and could complicate Democratic efforts to unify behind a nominee.
Still, Republicans must also navigate potential backlash tied to increased federal immigration enforcement activity in the state. While that presence may energize some voters, it could also alienate others, creating risks for GOP candidates trying to broaden their appeal beyond the party base.
Tafoya’s candidacy adds a new variable to an already complex race. As a well-known media figure stepping into politics, she brings visibility and an outsider profile that Republicans hope will resonate with voters frustrated by the status quo. Democrats, meanwhile, now face the prospect of a more competitive race than they might have anticipated, with national attention likely to follow.
With Smith’s retirement opening the door and both parties jockeying for position, Tafoya’s entry ensures that Minnesota’s Senate race will be closely watched, hard-fought, and potentially more competitive than past statewide contests.
