Politics & Government
Former Sports Reporter Michele Tafoya Running For U.S. Senate In Minnesota
"I think Minnesota is in a crisis," Tafoya told CBS Minnesota station WCCO in an exclusive interview.
Updated on: January 22, 2026
Former television sports reporter Michele Tafoya is jumping into the U.S. Senate in Minnesota as a Republican. She submitted federal filings Tuesday afternoon and released a campaign video announcing her candidacy Wednesday morning.
Find out what's happening in Across Minnesotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Tafoya is seeking the open seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, as Republicans target a pickup opportunity in a state the GOP has not won statewide since 2006, when then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty was reelected. A Republican has not been elected to the U.S. Senate from Minnesota since Norm Coleman in 2002.
"I think Minnesota is in a crisis," Tafoya told CBS Minnesota station WCCO in an exclusive interview. "I think we have a crisis in leadership and I think the career politicians that got us here are not going to get us out."
Find out what's happening in Across Minnesotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Click here for the full story via CBS Minnesota
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