SAINT LOUIS PARK, Minn. — Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan kicked off a statewide campaign tour on Saturday as she begins her race for the soon-to-be open U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota. She was quick to act when U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced she would not be running for re-election.

The confirmation comes nearly two weeks after Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced she will be running for the seat following Sen. Tina Smith’s decision not to seek re-election.

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Minnesota junior senator, Tina Smith. Flanagan is the only Democrat to enter the race so far.

Gov. Tim Walz will not run for Sen. Tina Smith's seat when she vacates it in 2026, a spokesperson from his office confirmed with Bring Me The News on Wednesday. Walz, who was first elected as Minnesota's governor in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022, is mulling over a run for a third term as governor.