MN Patch Candidate Profile: Michele Tafoya For U.S. Senate

EDINA, MN — Minnesota voters will head to the polls Nov. 3 to decide races for U.S. Senate, governor, and other state and federal offices.

Minnesota Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Michele Tafoya, the Republican nominee, is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Tina Smith, who is not seeking reelection. Her opponent is DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Related: MN Patch Candidate Profile: Peggy Flanagan For U.S. Senate

Michele Tafoya:

Age: 61

Position sought: U.S. Senate

Party affiliation: Republican

City of residence: Edina

Family: Husband and 2 kids

Education: MBA from the University of Southern California

Occupation: Former sports broadcaster & NFL sideline reporter

Previous or current elected or appointed office: N/A

Campaign website: micheletafoya.com

Campaign social media: x.com/Michele_Tafoya; facebook.com/micheletafoyaforsenate; instagram.com/realmicheletafoya; linkedin.com/in/michele-tafoya-294052390

Why are you seeking elected office?

I am running for the U.S. Senate to help restore integrity and reclaim Minnesota’s reputation. Our state has become a national punchline for waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars. This is unacceptable. Minnesotans deserve better than the scandals that have damaged their trust. We need elected officials who will deliver real accountability and fiscal responsibility. I will make combating fraud my number one priority in the U.S. Senate.

Additionally, we need a U.S. Senator who will fight for secure borders, safe communities, and policies that put Minnesota families first. Minnesotans are ready for common-sense, principled representation in Washington that puts our state first. I am ready to provide that leadership.

The single most pressing issue facing Minnesotans is fraud, and this is what I intend to do about it:

After billions of taxpayer dollars were stolen through fraud, we must take aggressive steps to ensure these schemes can never happen again in Minnesota or anywhere else in America. As your U.S. Senator, I will introduce legislation to hold state officials accountable when they fail to prevent or address fraud involving taxpayer funds. This includes pushing to strip federal funding from any state that refuses to implement strong anti-fraud controls. We also need stronger oversight and better coordination between federal and state agencies to detect fraud earlier and recover stolen funds faster.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan represents more of the same failed career politicians who enabled billions of our tax dollars to be stolen. Peggy Flanagan has been second-in-command for 8 years while Minnesota taxpayers were left paying the price for massive fraud and government failures.

Minnesotans are ready for a change after 20 years of single-party control. I’m running as an outsider, not a career politician, to bring a new voice to the U.S. Senate, hold Washington accountable, and deliver the change Minnesota deserves.

What would you do differently from the current officeholder?

This is an open seat. My opponent, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, had 8 years to deliver results for Minnesota. Instead, Minnesotans are dealing with rising taxes, falling test scores, and billions of dollars lost to fraud.

I would bring a different approach to Washington: put Minnesota taxpayers first, demand accountability for every dollar spent, and bring common sense to issues that affect families, workers, and businesses. I’m not beholden to the political establishment. I answer to the people of Minnesota.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We must confront the cost of living crisis by cutting taxes and regulations that drive up costs and make Minnesota more affordable for families. This includes legislation like the Working Families Tax Cuts, which lowers federal income taxes for working families, allowing them to keep more of their paychecks, and put more money toward the rising costs of everyday life.

Finally, we must continue securing our borders and standing firmly with the brave men and women of law enforcement. I am proud to have the endorsements of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association and the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis. In the Senate, I will fight to ensure our officers have the resources, support, and respect they need to do their jobs.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

For nearly three decades, I worked at the highest levels of sports broadcasting, including more than a decade as a sideline reporter for Sunday Night Football. My career taught me about preparation, discipline, and asking powerful people tough questions. It also taught me how to listen, communicate clearly, and connect with people from all backgrounds.

I’m not a career politician. I’m an outsider who will challenge the status quo in Washington and fight for families who feel forgotten by the political class. Minnesotans deserve a Senator with real-world experience, proven integrity, and fresh perspective. I’m ready to bring that to the job.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The harder you work, the more lucky you become.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’m running for the U.S. Senate because I believe Minnesota deserves a senator who will put people ahead of politics.

I believe in protecting Social Security and Medicare, supporting our veterans and military, securing our border, fighting fraud, lowering the cost of living, and making sure parents have a voice in their children’s education. I’ll work across party lines when it makes sense, but I won’t compromise on doing what I believe is right for Minnesota.

I’m running to be a strong, independent voice for Minnesota and to put common sense ahead of partisan politics.