Fellow Democrat Nick Leonard to challenge Tina Smith for Senate seat
Nick LeonardMinnesota's newest senator now has some competition from within her own party.
Nick Leonard, a Minneapolis lawyer and activist, announced Monday, Feb. 5, he would challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith for the seat she was appointed to in December. Smith replaced Al Franken, who stepped down in January amid allegations of sexual impropriety. Smith was previously lieutenant governor.
Smith is expected to run for the seat in a November special election and Leonard is the first Democrat to challenge her. Republican state Sen. Karin Housely, R-St. Marys Point, is also running for the seat.
In a statement, Leonard said he would be a strong and credible candidate and if elected would be the first openly gay man in the U.S. Senate.
"I understand the everyday concerns of Minnesota families—they are the same concerns for my family too," Leonard said.
Leonard's candidacy announcement mentions former U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, who was considering a bid, but recently told a radio host she wouldn't run.
"I would be honored to represent Minnesotans on the issues they care most about and fight against the unprincipled Bachmann-Trump Republican Party of hate, division, and exclusion," Leonard's announcement said.
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