Michele Tafoya announces U.S. Senate run in Minnesota

Michele Tafoya, a former longtime NFL sideline reporter, has launched a campaign for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota being vacated by Sen. Tina Smith; the state primary is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Michele Tafoya launched a campaign on Wednesday for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota, seeking the Republican nomination for a seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. Tafoya is a 61-year-old former NFL sideline reporter who worked for CBS, ABC, ESPN and NBC starting in 1994 and left her sideline role after the 2021 NFL season. After leaving NBC she served as co-chair for Republican gubernatorial candidate Kendal Qualls, who later withdrew. In 2022 she told a media reporter she wanted to pursue other things that were important to her. Key details: - Tafoya announced her campaign in a social media video, referencing lessons about leadership from her time covering football. - The Senate seat is being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. - The Minnesota primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11. - Tafoya worked across major networks beginning in 1994 and spent more than a decade on "Sunday Night Football" before leaving her sideline role after the 2021 season. - The race includes multiple candidates on both sides, with U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan mentioned on the Democratic side and former NBA player Royce White among Republican candidates. Summary: Her campaign brings a well-known media figure into the Republican contest for an open Minnesota Senate seat. The next formal milestone is the state primary on Aug. 11.