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Michele Tafoya

Republican candidate for U.S. Senator, Minnesota · Open seat

Former NBC Sports sideline reporter; conservative commentator

Michele Tafoya is a former NBC sideline reporter and four-time Emmy winner who later worked as a conservative commentator. She launched her Republican campaign in January 2026 for the open U.S. Senate seat left by retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D), with support from the NRSC. She is the Republican nominee in the November 3, 2026 general election.

Where Tafoya stands

Federal spending and national debt
Says Washington is overspending. Proposes protecting Social Security, Medicare and national defense by cutting spending and waste, fraud and abuse, and opposes tax increases.
Social Security
In the MPR debate she did not say whether she would support higher taxes or benefit cuts to keep Social Security solvent. She said solving it needs independent senators willing to work across party lines.
Health care
Supports keeping Rural Health Transformation funding for Minnesota. Proposes stopping overcharging by hospitals and drug companies, limiting insurers' use of prior authorization to deny seniors' care, and fighting Medicare/Medicaid fraud.
Immigration
Supports strong border security and the rule of law, plus legal pathways for high-skilled workers, guest workers and immigrants who follow the law and assimilate.
Trade and tariffs
Opposes permanent high tariffs and supports using short-term tariff leverage to secure new trade deals. Says the USMCA should already have been renewed and that she wishes the President had taken a different approach with Canada.
Abortion
Calls herself a 'pro-choice Republican' and supports 'reasonable access' to abortion in the first 12 weeks. Opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and Minnesota's current abortion-access law, and would confirm 'strict-constructionist' judges.
Public-program fraud
Says fraud reform is a central reason she is running. Proposes using the Senate's investigative and oversight powers to address Minnesota's public-program fraud cases.
Israel and Gaza
Says she stands with Israel and disputes calling events in Gaza a genocide.
Data centers
Welcomes data center investment if developers are open about local costs and impacts, and says local landowners and residents should have a say.

Background

In the news

Also running for U.S. Senator

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.

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