Former NFL Sideline Reporter Michele Tafoya Launches Senate Bid in Minnesota
Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter and longtime sports journalist, is planning to run for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota, marking a significant recruitment win for Republicans as they seek to make the state competitive in next year’s elections.
Tafoya officially filed paperwork on Tuesday to establish a Senate campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission. Three sources familiar with her decision confirmed that she is running for Senate, and two indicated that an official announcement is expected on Wednesday.
Minnesota has not been a stronghold for Republicans in statewide races in recent years. However, with Democratic Sen. Tina Smith’s potential retirement, Republicans see an opportunity to put the state in play. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig are both vying for the Democratic nomination.
A New Face with Broad Appeal
Tafoya, who spent years as a sideline reporter for NBC Sports and currently hosts a podcast, has been seriously considering a Senate run for months. According to a source familiar with her plans, she met with the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) in December to discuss her potential candidacy.
As a self-described “pro-choice” Republican, Tafoya could appeal to moderate and independent voters in Minnesota, a state where Republicans have struggled to recruit candidates capable of mounting close races. Her status as a well-known media personality and political outsider adds to her appeal within the GOP.
The Republican Primary Landscape
Tafoya will face competition in the Republican primary. Last year’s GOP nominee, former professional basketball player Royce White, is running again alongside former state GOP chairman David Hann and former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze.
While White secured the state GOP endorsement last year, he ultimately won the nomination with just 39% of the vote, highlighting the competitive nature of the party’s primary process. Minnesota’s Republican Party endorses candidates at its convention, providing a boost to those candidates, but others can continue to challenge in a primary race.
It remains unclear whether Tafoya will seek the party’s endorsement or proceed directly to a primary campaign if she does not receive it.
Political Background and Outlook
Tafoya first entered politics in 2022 when she co-chaired Republican Kendall Qualls’s gubernatorial campaign. Qualls is running for governor again this year in a crowded GOP primary.
In February 2025, Tafoya told WDAY Radio that she was close to making a decision on a Senate run. She said she had spoken with NRSC Chairman Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and was weighing the impact of a campaign on her family and considering how long she intended to stay in Minnesota.
“I think Minnesota is starving for a moderate Republican who doesn’t tell them that they’re going to ban abortion, but who also is the antithesis of the Tim Walz regime,” Tafoya said, speaking broadly about the race.
Challenges Ahead
Minnesota has not favored Republicans in statewide elections since 2006, and the party continues to face challenges in putting forward candidates who can close the gap. Former nominee Royce White lost to Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar by 16 points last year, despite some gains for former President Donald Trump, who narrowed his 2024 loss in Minnesota to 4 points.
Tafoya’s entry into the race provides Republicans with a fresh and recognizable face who may broaden the party’s appeal. As the campaign unfolds, her strategy regarding the party endorsement and primary will be key factors in her path to the Senate seat.
Stay tuned for updates as Michele Tafoya makes her official Senate campaign announcement and prepares to compete in what could be a pivotal race in Minnesota.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/republican-michele-tafoya-former-nfl-sideline-reporter-launch-minnesot-rcna249272
