ST. PAUL, Minn.— Democratic Senator Tina Smith won re-election against Republican Jason Lewis. Smith won 48.8% to 43.5%. To Lewis, she expressed congratulations for a “hard-fought race” and wished him the best. “To all the Minnesotans who voted for Lewis, I want you to know that I am your Senator also,” Smith said. Her focus, she said, would continue to be working families, farmers, veterans, businesses, and tribal communities. The victory was Smith’s first to a full-six term. She was appointed to the Senate in 2018 to fill out the term of Al Franken, who resigned. Earlier she was lieutenant governor to Mark Dayton.
Lewis adieu
At the state Republican watch party in Bloomington, Jason Lewis expressed disappointment at his loss. He told 200 fellow Republicans that the race would be his last. Lewis, age 65, was elected to the U.S. House in 2016 but was defeated in 2018. In the final days the 2020 campaign against Tina Smith, he suffered a hernia attack that put him in the hospital several days. Might he return to a radio career? He was a conservative talk radio host in Minneapolis for 25 years, first at KTSP, then KTLK. The show was syndicated nationally for a while. He was an occasional guest on the Rush Limbaugh national talker.
Smith. Appointed 2018, elected 2018, re-elected 2020
