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Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) won't run for reelection in 2026, she announced Thursday. 

Why it matters: This creates another open seat for Senate Democrats to defend as they try to retake the majority. Smith's seat is listed as "likely Dem" in the upcoming midterms by the Cook Political Report.

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

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Sen. Tina Smith won't run for reelection in 2026

This creates another open seat for Senate Democrats to defend.

Photo: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tina Smith" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/01/28/tina-smith-banking-access-black-people-civil-rights" data-vars-content-id="8e069aed-3197-4b38-91dd-81858bc28a15" data-vars-headline="Sen. Tina Smith won&#x27;t run for reelection in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/01/28/tina-smith-banking-access-black-people-civil-rights" target="_self">Tina Smith</a> (D-Minn.) won&#x27;t run for reelection in 2026, she <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/SenTinaSmith/status/1890068717486452772" data-vars-content-id="8e069aed-3197-4b38-91dd-81858bc28a15" data-vars-headline="Sen. Tina Smith won&#x27;t run for reelection in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/SenTinaSmith/status/1890068717486452772" target="_blank">announced</a> Thursday. Why it matters: This creates another open seat for Senate Democrats to defend as they try to retake the majority. Smith&#x27;s seat is listed as &quot;likely Dem&quot; in the upcoming midterms by the Cook Political Report.

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

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Sen. Tina Smith won't run for reelection in 2026

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