Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has officially announced her bid for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026, effectively ending speculation about a potential run for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat. In her statement, Omar emphasized the importance of combating what she described as the “chaos, corruption, and callousness of the Trump Administration,” reaffirming her commitment to grassroots organizing and defending citizens’ rights.
“In Minnesota, we know that organized people will always beat organized money. Our campaign is ready to build on our successful grassroots organizing efforts to have a record turnout for the midterms and help win back the majority,” Omar added.
This decision follows Senator Tina Smith’s announcement that she will not seek re-election, leaving the Senate seat open. Smith shared, “This decision is not political, it is entirely personal, but it’s not lost on me that our country is in need of strong progressive leadership right now, maybe more than ever.”
With Omar opting to remain in the House, the Democratic field for the Senate race includes Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and former state Senate Minority Leader Melisa López Franzen. On the Republican side, declared candidates include retired Marine and Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze and former NBA player Royce White.
Omar was not the only one to decline running to Smith’s seat. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he has no plans to run for the Senate seat, stating, “At this point in time, I don’t want to have my thumb on the scale in any way… I just know we’ve got a deep bench. We’ve got good folks.”
Omar, first elected in 2018, represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, encompassing Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs. She has consistently secured her seat with significant margins, winning nearly 75% of the vote in 2024.
