Former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya has announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota. Launching her campaign, Tafoya pledged to fight fraud, protect women’s sports, keep costs low, and support deportation for dangerous criminals.
“I didn’t come to this decision lightly,” Tafoya said in a statement. “But I’m not willing to stand on the sidelines while Minnesotans are let down by leaders who refuse to take responsibility. This campaign is about putting people first — not politics as usual.”
A longtime presence on Minnesota airwaves, Tafoya previously worked for WCCO and KFAN in Minnesota. However, she became most well-known as an NFL sideline reporter, having worked for ABC’s Monday Night Football and NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
Since retiring from Sunday Night Football in 2022, Tafoya has stepped into the political arena with frequent criticism of Democrats. Now, Tafoya is seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat left open by Sen. Tina Smith’s retirement.
“Our campaign is bigger than right versus left. It’s about competence over corruption,” Tafoya said in a campaign launch video.
For years, I walked the sidelines when the stakes were the highest, and that job taught me how leadership really works.
I’m running for U.S. Senate to bring that experience to Washington and deliver the real results Minnesota deserves. pic.twitter.com/vDbHWpAXg9
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) January 21, 2026
In the race for the GOP nomination, Tafoya joins a short list of other candidates which includes former Minnesota Senate Minority Leader David Hann, former NBA player Royce White, and retired Navy Seal Adam Schwarze.
Hann most recently served as chair of the Minnesota Republican Party before losing that post in 2024. White was the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024 but lost to DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar by 16 points.
Tafoya’s entrance to the race is a major boon for national Republicans who have been encouraging her to step into the race. Shortly after Tafoya announced her candidacy, Sen. Tim Scott, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, endorsed Tafoya.
“Michele is the only candidate with the common-sense leadership Minnesotans are desperately craving, and her message of safety, opportunity, and prosperity would be a welcome addition to our Senate majority,” Scott said in a statement.
With strong name ID and the support of national Republicans, Tafoya has essentially become the front-runner for the GOP nomination. However, Tafoya’s GOP opponents are already attacking her for urging President Donald Trump not to run for president in 2024.
Another obstacle in Tafoya’s quest for the Republican nomination will likely be her position on abortion. Tafoya has previously described herself as “pro-choice,” a position which would put her at odds with the GOP. In a 2024 episode of her podcast, Tafoya described herself as “pro-choice to a point; I don’t think you should be able to abort a child at nine months.”
Later this year, Republicans will endorse a U.S. Senate candidate at their state convention. That endorsement, while impactful, does not decide who the Republican nominee will be. Ultimately, the Aug. 11 state primary election will decide who gets the nomination.
Whoever wins the nomination will likely face either Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan or Rep. Angie Craig in the November general election. At present, both Flanagan and Craig are locked in a fierce battle for the DFL’s U.S. Senate nomination.
Regardless of who the eventual nominees are, the GOP will likely face an uphill battle in November as no Republican has won a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota since Norm Coleman beat Walter Mondale in 2002.
Currently, Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate. Many believe the GOP will likely hold on to their majority in 2026 given the seats that are up for election this year.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
