Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, filed Tuesday to run as a Republican for the U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota being vacated by Sen. Tina Smith. She met with the NRSC, which has been recruiting her, and enters a crowded GOP primary that includes Royce White, David Hann, Tom Weiler and Adam Schwarze. Democrats are lining up a competitive primary between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig. Tafoya’s media profile and party backing will be factors to watch as the race develops.
Former NFL Sideline Reporter Michele Tafoya Files To Run For U.S. Senate In Minnesota
Former television sports reporter Michele Tafoya filed federal paperwork Tuesday to run as a Republican for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, according to filings made public Tuesday afternoon.
Tafoya is positioning herself for a competitive race in Minnesota, a state Republicans have not won statewide since 2006. If nominated, she would be vying for a seat that Republicans view as a key pickup opportunity as they aim to protect their narrow majority in the Senate.
Campaign Developments
CBS News confirmed that Tafoya met last week with the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Republican sources say the Senate GOP's campaign arm has been encouraging her to run since Smith announced she would not seek reelection. Tafoya’s initial meeting with the NRSC was first reported by Fox News.
Primary Field
Tafoya joins a crowded Republican primary that already includes former NBA player Royce White, former Minnesota GOP chair David Hann, U.S. Navy veteran Tom Weiler, and former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze. The contest is expected to be competitive as Republicans sort through multiple candidates for the nomination.
Democratic Side
On the Democratic side, a competitive primary is shaping up between progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and centrist Rep. Angie Craig. News outlets have reported that Craig called for congressional action following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Goodin in south Minneapolis; coverage varies on the specific remedies being proposed.
Tafoya's Background
Tafoya spent about a decade as a sideline reporter for NBC Sports' NBC Sunday Night Football before leaving that role in 2021. Her long sports-broadcasting career also included stints at ABC Sports, ESPN and CBS Sports. In 2022 she served as co-chair for Kendall Qualls' Republican gubernatorial campaign; Qualls is again running in the state's upcoming governor's race.
What To Watch: Whether Tafoya can translate national name recognition from sports broadcasting into primary momentum, how the NRSC engages in the Minnesota contest, and which Democratic nominee emerges to compete in the general election.
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