Overview
- Tafoya met in Washington last week with the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senate Leadership Fund and other GOP stakeholders, and has spoken with NRSC Chair Sen. Tim Scott, according to reports.
- Sources say she is expected to decide in early 2026, with some Republican operatives indicating she is leaning toward entering the race.
- The contest is for the open seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, as Democrats navigate a primary between Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
- GOP strategists view Tafoya as a high-profile potential nominee who could force Democrats to commit money and attention to Minnesota.
- Tafoya left NBC in 2022, co-chaired Republican Kendall Qualls’s gubernatorial campaign and has since built a conservative media profile in Minnesota.