U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer will not run for Minnesota governor or an open U.S. Senate seat in 2026, the congressman’s representatives said.
“He has ruled out bids for both” offices, Emmer communications director Casey Nelson confirmed to St. Cloud LIVE via text on Friday, Feb. 21.
Nelson pointed to a Feb. 13 post by Emmer on the social media platform X:
“I am focused on doing the job I was elected to do and that is serving the great people of Minnesota’s Sixth District here in Congress,” Emmer wrote. “We have a lot of work to do to implement President Trump’s agenda and that’s where I’m concentrating my efforts.”
Republican Emmer has represented the state’s 6th Congressional District since 2015. He earned his sixth term in office in November by beating Democratic challenger Jeanne Hendricks in a rematch, earning 62% of the vote.
Since 2023, Emmer has served as the majority whip in the U.S. House of Representatives. Emmer also was chairman for the “Trump for Minnesota” presidential campaign.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., announced on Feb. 13 that she would not be seeking reelection. The state’s junior senator has held office since 2018.
Following Smith’s announcement, several prominent Democrats have been suggested to run for Senate, including Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Secretary of State Steve Simon. So far, only Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has announced officially that she would seek the Senate seat during the 2026 midterm elections.
Walz’s term as governor ends in 2026.
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