Former Minnesota GOP chair David Hann says he's got a real shot at winning the U.S. Senate race as the new year approaches.
Hann is among a handful of Republicans seeking the seat that Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith will leave at the end of next year.
Hann telling KSTP-TV Chief Political Reporter Tom Hauser on the WCCO Radio Morning News the state has become more divided politically when it comes to national and state races.
"The people of the state are not as sure that the Democratic Party really represents the interests that they that they are interested in," Hann said Friday morning. "So I think that it has become more competitive, and I think that's one of the reasons why this next year will be an opportunity for Republicans to make some gains statewide."
It's already a crowded race. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and 2nd District U.S. Rep. Angie Craig are competing for the nod from Democratic voters. Billy Nord is also running as a Democrat.
Royce White, a former NBA player who ran against U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and lost in 2024, has also declared as a Republican as has Adam Schwarze, a former Navy SEAL. There is still a strong belief with political insiders that former NBC Sunday Night Football reporter and WCCO Radio host Michele Tafoya is also close to entering the race.
Hann added that the state isn't as left-leaning as it used to be.
"We've got eight congressional seats. Four are Republicans held by Republicans, four are held by Democrats," Hann notes. "The second district is very competitive, currently held by a Democrat, but even the state legislature in the last decade has become very closely divided politically."
Both parties will hold endorsing conventions in May. Republicans have not won a statewide race in Minnesota since Governor Tim Pawlenty won a second term in 2006. The last GOP Senator from Minnesota was Norm Coleman, who served from 2003-2009.