Overview
- Tafoya filed FEC paperwork this week and on Jan. 21 released a launch video for the Republican bid to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.
- NRSC chairman Sen. Tim Scott endorsed Tafoya shortly after her announcement following national GOP recruitment efforts.
- She joins a competitive primary featuring Royce White, former state GOP chair David Hann and ex–Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, with precinct caucuses Feb. 3, a spring convention and an Aug. 11 primary.
- In her rollout, she prioritized fighting corruption, supporting law enforcement, deporting dangerous criminals, protecting girls’ sports and lowering costs, while calling herself a pro‑choice Republican.
- Despite the open seat, Republicans confront a difficult map in Minnesota, which last elected a GOP U.S. senator in 2002 and has not elected any Republican statewide since 2006.