Longtime broadcaster Michele Tafoya is weighing a Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota after meeting NRSC officials last week, a source told Semafor. Her potential campaign had been dormant while Republicans focused resources elsewhere, and a competitive Democratic primary has emerged between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig. Flanagan emphasizes progressive toughness, while Craig would likely stress electability and her battleground-district wins. Tafoya could draw more GOP interest than last year’s nominee, Royce White, who lost by about 15 points.
Michele Tafoya Eyes GOP U.S. Senate Run In Minnesota After NRSC Meeting
Longtime broadcaster Michele Tafoya is seriously considering a Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota and met with officials from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) last week, a person familiar with the conversations told Semafor.
Tafoya’s potential candidacy had been on the back burner for several months while Republicans concentrated resources elsewhere. In the interim, a competitive Democratic primary has emerged between Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Representative Angie Craig (D-Minn.).
Flanagan has positioned herself as a tougher, more combative progressive. If Tafoya enters the race, Craig is expected to pivot to an electability argument; a Craig spokesperson pointed to her wins in swing districts and said, "It’s clear she is in the best position to keep Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat blue."
Minnesota is not widely viewed as a top-tier battleground in a rematch with former President Donald Trump, but Tafoya’s name recognition and profile as a broadcaster could attract more Republican interest than last year’s nominee, Royce White, who lost by roughly 15 percentage points.
What Comes Next
There is no public timeline for a formal announcement. If she runs, Tafoya will need to build a campaign operation, demonstrate fundraising capacity and compete for attention and resources from the national party. Republicans will weigh her candidacy against other potential nominees as they decide where to deploy limited resources in the 2026 cycle.
