Washington, D.C., Feb. 13, 2025 – Sen. Tina Smith announced she won’t seek reelection to a U.S. Senate seat originally handed to her by political appointment, opening the floodgates to a field of mediocre candidates seeking to take her place, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and Ilhan Omar.
Smith’s tenure was unextraordinary. She primarily walked lockstep with progressive liberals supporting radical legislation related to climate change and abortion. Her main function seemed to be standing behind her fellow Minnesota senator, Amy Klobuchar, at press conferences nodding in agreement.
Smith was first appointed to the Senate in 2017, following the forced resignation of Sen. Al Franken, a former television comedian “cancelled” during the Me Too movement, a campaign against sexual harassment.
Smith’s fundraising was below average, according to campaign financing reports. At about $3 million, her funding was a fraction of Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s $21 million. Donations came from a few large corporations and banks, some individuals, and out-of-state political action committees and donors, according to campaign finance reports.
Smith recently sought to alter local zoning laws under the guise of providing “affordable housing,” a measure that many believe will hurt neighborhoods.
