Tina Smith

Tina Smith was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1958. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Stanford University in 1980 and an M.B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1984. Smith worked as a marketing consultant, as an executive for Planned Parenthood, and as chief of staff for Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak (D) and Gov. Mark Dayton (D).[1][2] She served as Minnesota's lieutenant governor from 2015 to 2018.[1]

Tina Smith did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Tina Smith did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Smith's campaign website stated the following:

The Minnesota Way Forward

A few Americans are just born into opportunity. They’re handed all the tools, and all the connections, and all the capital it takes to build any kind of life they can imagine. And as Tina’s dad would say, good for them. But for the majority of Americans, opportunity isn’t something you’re given. It’s something you have to earn through hard work.

And Tina is willing to do the work and work hard. Her belief is grounded in what she knows to be true about fellow Minnesotans: we get together to solve problems, to lift each other up, to find and stand on common ground. We’re creative, we’re practical, and we don’t just complain about what’s holding us back — we come up with solutions.

Tina knows that the wealthy and powerful are no match for the people of this state when we join our voices together, fight for the value and dignity of our work, and each do our part to make a generation of progress a reality. And when hard work isn’t enough, she’s ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Minnesotans to make sure opportunity is available. As long as Tina has the honor of serving as your Senator, she’s going to keep using her voice to speak up and fight for the American values that are under attack every day.

A Strong and Diverse Economy

With a diverse economy and economic opportunity, businesses can grow and workers can get better pay and better jobs. But now, as the country faces unprecedented times, Tina is working hard to make sure Minnesota’s workers and small businesses have access to the resources they need. Tina knows the importance of rebuilding American manufacturing, building an American medical supply chain, and finding common ground to rebuild the middle class.

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Affordable High-Quality Health Care

Every Minnesota family deserves high-quality health care they can afford. And now more than ever, as the country faces an unprecedented health crisis, Tina is committed to fighting for affordable health care, because nobody should have to choose between paying for health care and putting food on the table.

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Quality Education for All Minnesotans

Education is the engine of opportunity and it ought to be available to all of us, not just some of us. Tina understands that education drives opportunity and it should be affordable and accessible to everyone.

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Action on Gun Violence

We can address the epidemic of gun violence with common-sense reforms.

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Supporting Minnesota’s Farmers and Rural Communities

Agriculture is at the heart of Minnesota’s economy. Tina is focused on making sure Minnesota farmers have a strong voice in Congress.

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Women’s Economic Health and Security

Women still don’t have equal autonomy, opportunity, or pay as men do. As the only Senator to have worked for Planned Parenthood, Tina knows the importance of fighting for reproductive justice.

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Protecting and Preserving Social Security

Social Security is the bedrock of economic and retirement security of the American middle class. Tina believes we should expand Social Security and ensure that it remains solvent in the long term.

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Supporting our Veterans

One of our most solemn duties is to take care of the people who served in our armed forces. Tina is committed to making sure they receive and have access to the benefits they’ve earned.

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Standing up for our LGBTQ+ Family

Every American deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Tina believes we need to defend the progress that has been made for LGBTQ+ equality and fight the injustices that still exist for too many LGBTQ+ Americans.

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Tribal Communities

We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our Native communities and hear their needs and see their contributions.

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Protecting our Environment

We need to address climate change, protect our country’s national treasures, and fight back against efforts by this Administration to roll back responsible environmental policy.

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Dreamers and Immigrants

Minnesota’s communities are strong because of our immigrant neighbors and friends. We need to make sure our immigration system is one that is reflective of our country’s values and needs and one that prioritizes the dignity of the individuals seeking opportunity in the United States.

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Taking on Special Interests and Campaign Finance Reform

We need to end the influence of corporate special interests and dark money on politicians. Tina believes we will only be able to build an economy that works for everyone if we reform this broken system.

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Strengthening Collective Bargaining Rights

When workers are able to join together to fight for livable wages, a safe work environment, and quality benefits for their families, we all do better. That’s why Tina believes that collective bargaining is a fundamental right for workers, and makes for stronger communities and families.

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Trade

Trade plays a critical role in Minnesota’s economy. Tina supports fair trade, but knows trade can’t be a one-size fits all approach.

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Supporting Arts and Culture

Arts and culture are an important part of Minnesota’s identity, economy, and quality of life. That’s why Tina is committed to sustaining and advancing arts and cultural opportunities for all.

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Justice for George Floyd and Transforming Policing

Tina wants justice for George Floyd, and justice includes accountability for all the officers who were involved in his murder. Tina also says we need to face up to the disparities in opportunity that hurt Black, Brown and Indigenous people every day, and we need to use this moment to take action.

Learn more.[3]

—Tina Smith's campaign website (2020)[4]

Campaign website

Smith’s campaign website stated the following:

Tina is a fierce advocate for a Minnesota that works for everyone – not just the lucky few. And she knows that when we work together and put Minnesota values first, nothing can stop us from turning that vision into reality.

The Minnesota Way Forward

It’s true: we are living through one of the most challenging times in the history of our country. Many of those in Washington seem to think their job is to take care of the wealthy and powerful – at the expense of working and middle-class families.

But Tina believes that things can – and will – change for the better. Her belief is grounded in what she knows to be true about fellow Minnesotans: we get together to solve problems, to lift each other up, to find and stand on common ground. We’re creative, we’re practical, and we don’t just complain about what’s holding us back – we come up with solutions.

Tina knows they’re no match for the people of this state when we come together, stand shoulder to shoulder, and each do our part to create the reality Paul Wellstone described where "we all do better when we all do better."

A Strong and Diverse Economy

Tina is a fierce advocate for economic opportunity and a diverse economy that works for everyone so that businesses grow and workers get better jobs and better pay. To build a diverse economy, Tina believes we need to invest in manufacturing and technology, help small businesses grow and create jobs, and expand our agriculture economy.

Tina championed raising the minimum wage in Minnesota. She supports expanding paid family and medical leave so that parents can stay home to take care of their children and family members without the worry of losing a paycheck. Tina introduced a bill in the Senate to develop more local partnerships to promote career and skill training opportunities

Workforce for Today’s Economy

Tina recognizes that not every young person in Minnesota will go to a four-year college, or that they want to. That is why she travels the state bringing together high schools, two-year community and technical colleges and local businesses to promote career and skill training opportunities. In fact, she recently introduced a bill in the Senate to help develop more of these partnerships. Tina is committed to finding solutions to help ensure Minnesotans have the skills to fill high-demand jobs and help close the skills gap.

Affordable High-Quality Health Care

Every Minnesota family deserves access to high-quality health care that they can afford. When Tina talks to Minnesotans, the number one issue she hears about is the rising cost of healthcare – including the cost of prescription drugs. That is why Tina supports universal health care, is working to hold Big Pharma responsible, and fighting for solutions to save Minnesotans money.

Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs

The first bill Tina introduced would help to lower the cost of prescription drugs by addressing a corporate loophole that giant drug companies use to game the system and keep affordable generic drugs off the market. This unfair practice makes it harder for seniors, families, and all Minnesotans with medical needs to afford life-saving drugs.

Tina is not only pushing legislation, she also wrote letters to Big Pharma CEOs asking them what they did with the money they got from the GOP tax bill and whether the money was used to lower prescription drug prices for consumers.

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic

Too many Minnesotans are losing their lives to the opioid epidemic. That is why Tina is working with community leaders, health care professionals, and lawmakers to find a bipartisan solution for the opioid crisis.

In the Senate, she is supporting a bill that would require prescription drug companies to pay a “penny-a-pill” and help fund treatment options to end this devastating epidemic that is plaguing our communities.

As Lt. Governor, Tina also advocated for better prevention and treatment options.

Expanding Mental Health Services in our Schools

Tina wrote legislation with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska to help expand mental health services in school and local communities to ensure our children, wherever they live, have access to the resources they need.

Quality Education for All Minnesotans

Every student deserves a strong public education system from early childhood to adulthood that prepares them for the workforce.

All-Day Kindergarten

As Lt. Governor, Tina fought an uphill battle to establish all-day kindergarten for all Minnesota children. Supporting our littlest learners improves access to education and helps close the achievement gap while saving parents from costly childcare expenses.

College Affordability

The student debt crisis is out of control. As tuition continues to skyrocket, Tina hears from too many Minnesotans facing financial uncertainty from looming student loans. That’s why Tina is working with Senator Elizabeth Warren to help reduce the burden of student debt by allowing people to refinance their student loans at lower rates. On top of tuition, textbooks add to the amount students need to spend. To address this, Tina helped secure $5 million to be used for a pilot that helps allows students to cut down on the expense of costly textbooks.

Action on Gun Violence

Tina is working to pass common-sense reforms to help end needless gun violence. That is why Tina is standing up to the NRA and working to ensure all people can feel safe at their schools, in their communities, and at their places of worship. Tina has never and will never take money from the NRA.

Common-sense Reforms

Now is the time to pass much-needed gun reforms. Tina is the cosponsor of bills to expand background checks and to ban the sale of bump stocks, assault weapons, and high-capacity magazines. She is also working with Senator Amy Klobuchar to ban people convicted of stalking from having firearms.

Support Minnesota Traditions

Tina understands and respects Minnesota's long-standing hunting traditions. As a hunter and angler, Tina will work with Minnesotans to urge Congress to make our communities safer.

Supporting Minnesota’s Farmers and Rural Communities

A growing agricultural economy and vibrant rural communities are the heart of Minnesota. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, Tina is working to pass a Farm Bill that invests in Minnesota farmers and rural communities, and expands essential broadband infrastructure across the state.

Working with Minnesota Farmers

Tina fought for a spot on the Agriculture Committee because agriculture touches every community in Minnesota. That's why Tina travels across the state to meet with farmers in their community and listen to what matters to them. Tina is working to pass a Farm Bill that prioritizes Minnesota farmers by investing in farm-to-table programs that bring locally grown food to Minnesota schools and restaurants; including strong safety net programs for those dealing with low commodity prices, and keeping nutrition assistance programs in the bill.

Tina has also cosponsored bipartisan legislation to expand Minnesota's farm exports by helping farmers, rural cooperatives, and small businesses sell more commodities abroad.

Expand Rural Broadband

Access to reliable and affordable broadband is critical for rural and tribal communities. That is why Tina has introduced a bill to increase available funding for broadband projects in tribal communities and in remote and low-income areas. Tina’s bill would expand broadband to areas that are not currently served, allowing Minnesotans the opportunity to connect, compete, and create the lives they want.

Affordable Housing Across Minnesota

In many places in rural Minnesota, there is a devastating lack of affordable housing. Tina has introduced legislation to help Minnesotans afford to stay in their homes by maintaining rental assistance through the Rural Housing Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It's important we do everything we can to help families and seniors stay in their homes and their communities.

Women’s Economic Health and Security

Women deserve economic opportunity and fairness as well as reproductive freedom. As Lt. Governor, Tina helped develop and pass landmark bipartisan legislation which works to close the gender pay gap by helping to ensure equal pay for equal work, increases workplace protections, and expands medical family leave. Tina is leading on this issue in the Senate as

well.

Equal Pay

While we have made progress as a nation toward closing the long-standing gender pay gap, women, especially women of color, earn far less than then men on average. That is why Tina is co-sponsoring The Paycheck Fairness Act to addresses this by helping to ensure all women can succeed.

Pro-Choice

Tina is a strong advocate for women’s health. As a former Planned Parenthood executive, she deeply respects the right of women to make the best healthcare decisions for themselves and their families – and is committed to protecting this right.

Supporting our Veterans

Tina is strongly committed to making sure we support our veterans and their families.

Hire Veterans

Veterans make a selfless commitment to our country, and they deserve the utmost respect when they return home. That is why Tina is working with Minnesota businesses so that they hire veterans – making sure that when vets return home, they get the support they need and opportunities they deserve.

Quality and Timely Health Care for Veterans

Veterans should have access to quality, timely health care. That is why Tina is committed to pushing the Department of Veterans Affairs to end the backlog of cases so that veterans don't have to wait months to get treatment – which can put the lives of patients at risk.

Standing up for our LGBTQ Family

We need to defend the progress that’s been made for LGBTQ equality and fight the injustices that still exist for too many LGBTQ Americans. That is why Tina pushed to pass marriage equality making Minnesota the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage, that’s why she pushed for legislation to prevent bullying in Minnesota schools, and why she is supporting a bill to make it illegal to fire someone for being LGBTQ.

Tribal Communities

Tina is working closely with Minnesota’s eleven tribal communities to make sure they have the resources and support to address critical issues like the lack of housing, workforce needs, the opioid crisis, and holding non-native people responsible for crimes committed on tribal land.

Tina introduced the Community Connect Grant Program to help increase available funding for broadband projects in tribal communities. Expanding broadband to areas that are not currently served is essential to making sure Minnesotans can connect, compete, and create the lives they want.

She also introduced a bill to help tribal communities in Minnesota address the opioid crisis by making sure they have the resources to tackle this issue in a way that works for tribal communities; and has called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to host an opioid roundtable in Minnesota to hear from farmers, tribal communities and families dealing with this epidemic.

Protecting our Environment

It is the Minnesota way of life to enjoy all four seasons in the magnificent parks and trails across the state. As a member of the Senate Energy Committee, Tina has made it a priority to protect our land, water, and air, while working with innovative, clean energy businesses to grow jobs. That is why she supports the Paris Agreement to fight climate change, and why she is a champion for growing Minnesota’s strong clean energy economy.

Protection for Dreamers and Immigrants

We need to stand up with immigrant communities and protect those facing unfair deportation.

Tina supports a pathway to citizenship for DREAMERS and opposes the President's actions to end DACA

She pushed to prevent the President’s unfair and unnecessary deportation agenda impacting Minnesota’s Liberian community

Tina introduced the HELP Separated Children Act to help force ICE to defend families, not separate them

Taking on Special Interests and Campaign Finance Reform

It’s time to end the system of unlimited dark money that is corrupting our elections. In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of unlimited, unaccountable political campaign spending making it easy for billionaires and special interest groups to secretly spend billions to sway elections. That’s why Tina supports a Constitutional Amendment that would reverse the Citizens United decision and end the ridiculous influence of corporate money in politics.

Strengthening Unions and Fighting Unfair Trade Deals

Unions play a critical role in Minnesota’s economy – they provide workers with livable wages, a safe work environment and quality benefits for their families. That’s why Tina supports working together at the state and federal level to strengthen the rights for people to organize, collectively improve working conditions, and protect their pensions.

Protect Hard-Earned Pensions

Tina was appointed to the newly created bipartisan committee on pensions to address the crisis that is putting the pensions of more than 22,000 retired Minnesotans at risk. Tina is concerned that allowing pension plans to fail will create a ripple effect that would devastate Minnesota families, businesses, and communities. Minnesotans who have worked and paid into their retirement plan their whole lives should not have to worry about how they take care of themselves when they retire. That is why Tina will fight to protect the pensions of hard-working Minnesotans.

End Harmful Trade Policies

Minnesota's Iron Range is an essential part of our economy, and illegal steel dumping puts too many jobs in Minnesota's Northland at risk. Tina's first trip as Senator was to Eveleth, Minnesota – the heart of the Iron Range – to listen to the issues steelworkers are currently facing. She pressed President Trump to take action to combat foreign steel imports that were threatening our national security, and she supports efforts to end steel dumping and hold foreign governments who don't play by the rules accountable.

As the trade discussion in Washington continues, Tina has pushed the President to support trade policies that help Minnesota communities and businesses.[5][3]