Michele Tafoya inches closer to bid for U.S. Senate

Retired sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya could soon jump into Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate race, as Republicans desperately try to recruit a candidate who could help break Democrats’ yearslong hold on the seat.

Tafoya recently met with the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) in Washington and is actively being recruited by the group, according to people familiar with the committee’s conversations.

Minnesota and national Republicans see Tafoya as a candidate with high name recognition and the ability to raise the money it would need to make the seat competitive for the GOP.

“She brings celebrity to the race, which in politics, means a lot,” said former GOP gubernatorial candidate Marty Seifert.

Republicans have struggled to recruit a formidable candidate to jump into the race since Sen. Tina Smith announced her retirement in February, creating a rare Minnesota opening in the U.S. Senate.

Democrat Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have been running to replace Smith for nearly a year and have raised millions of dollars and racked up dozens of endorsements each.

Running on the Republican side is controversial former NBA player Royce White, who lost to Sen. Amy Klobuchar last year; retired Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze, a newcomer candidate who has lagged in fundraising; and an even lesser known candidate, Tom Weiler.

Other prominent Republicans have passed on the race, including two members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation and former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Tafoya’s name has been in the mix of prospective candidates for nearly a year. She could not be reached for comment this week and declined to comment in October when asked about her plans.

“Many Republicans have asked Michele to consider this race and they’re hoping for a positive response this time, but she has yet to oblige them,” said Republican strategist Gregg Peppin, who confirmed Tafoya is giving the race “serious consideration.”

She’s been more vocal on social media in recent weeks, speaking out about fraud and criticizing prominent Minnesota Democrats including Craig, Klobuchar, Rep. Ilhan Omar and Gov. Tim Walz.

“Please deal with the horrendous fraud you allowed in Minnesota before anything else,” Tafoya said on X this month. “Please. Our money was stolen.”

If she does run, Weber said Tafoya will likely jump into the race shortly after the new year.

A number of high profile Republican candidates have opted to run for for governor instead or have stayed out of the Senate race for personal reasons.

“It was just a matter of coming back home and talking with people, and it just didn’t feel right to take the leap and jump into another campaign,” said Kathleen Fowke, a two-time state Senate candidate and wife of former Xcel Energy CEO Ben Fowke.

Fowke said she had been recruited to run and even met with the NRSC about a possible campaign.

The NRSC also tried to recruit former University of Minnesota basketball star Willie Burton, who ultimately passed on a run for personal reasons.

“I’ve been asked to consider being a candidate, so I’m considering it and doing some due diligence and talking to people,” said Hann, who previously was considering entering the GOP field for governor.