Michele Tafoya Is Running For U.S. Senate
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Former NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya is ready for he next phase of her life.
Tafoya ended her career as a sideline reporter for “Sunday Night Football” after the 2021 season. She concluded her legendary career in sports media after Super Bowl LVI to focus on other pursuits. That included political commentary, and now the most recent update.
The retired sportscaster on Wednesday announced she will run for Minnesota’s soon-to-be-vacated U.S. Senate seat as a Republican. Tafoya is seeking the seat held by Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring at the end of the year.
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Former NBC sideline NFL reporter Michele Tafoya announced that she is running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican in Minnesota.
Tafoya is an outspoken Republican and supporter of President Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/PFsXC8U0Ag
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 21, 2026
Michele Tafoya was a sports broadcaster for over 30 years, most notably with NBC Sunday Night Football. Following her retirement, she became the co-chair for Kendall Qualls’ unsuccessful 2022 Republican campaign for governor. She now has a Minnesota politics podcast.
In 2024, she ripped Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris for the condition of San Francisco. It came after a 17-year-old gunman shot San Francisco 49ers wideout Ricky Pearsall in the chest during a robbery attempt.
More On Retired Sportscaster Michele Tafoya Moving On To Politics
Michele Tafoya, the former sideline reporter for “Sunday Night Football” turned conservative commentator, is getting political. Since leaving sports media, Tafoya has hosted her own podcast and increasingly appeared on conservative shows.
Tafoya had been considering a bid for months after national Republicans encouraged her to run.
“For too long, hardworking people have been ripped off by criminals, corporations, and career politicians, and the people doing everything right are the ones paying the biggest price,” Tafoya said in a video posted to X announcing her campaign. “Well, I’m not going to stay on the sidelines any longer.”
For years, I walked the sidelines when the stakes were the highest, and that job taught me how leadership really works.
I’m running for U.S. Senate to bring that experience to Washington and deliver the real results Minnesota deserves. pic.twitter.com/vDbHWpAXg9
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) January 21, 2026
She will now join a large group of GOP candidates running for the Republican nomination. Michele Tafoya’s name recognition will likely help her in a primary contest. The vocal supporter of President Donald Trump has already made waves in the past few years.
Tafoya has already publicly criticized Gov. Tim Walz for the fraud in public programs that has occurred under his watch.
