MINNEAPOLIS — Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota announced on Thursday that she will not run for reelection next year.
“This job has been the honor of a lifetime. For the rest of my term, I’ll work as hard as I can for Minnesotans and our country,” Smith said in a video posted to social media.
In an op-ed published by the Star Tribune, Smith said her decision, “has nothing to do with politics. It’s entirely personal.”
“As much as I love my work, I’m fortunate enough to be able to say that my work is only part of what makes up my life,” Smith said. “And after two decades of hard, rewarding work in public service, I’m ready to prioritize other things — starting with my family.”
Smith said she intends to use the remainder of her term “to keep fighting to uphold our shared values and get things done to the very best of my ability.” She also said “we have a deep bench of political talent in Minnesota ready to carry on this work for all of us” and she is “full of hope for the future.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Smith’s compatriot from Minnesota, released the following statement:
“It’s been a privilege to work with Senator Tina Smith. I’m lucky enough to call her not only a colleague, but a true friend. Tina and I have been friends since long before our time together in the Senate. We have watched each other’s kids grow up and been there for each other through life’s ups and downs. As the only Senator to have worked at Planned Parenthood, Tina quickly became a leader in Washington in the fight to protect women’s rights. Tina also bravely shared her own story as part of her work to strengthen mental health services for all Americans. Her quiet but effective governing style earned her the title the velvet hammer. While Tina and I will continue to work together for the next two years, our friendship and her legacy will last a lifetime.”
Smith became the state’s 48th lieutenant governor in 2015 and was later appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2017.
This is a developing story, so check back for more.
