Michele Tafoya

Recent media appearances

• DebateOct 16, 2026In only scheduled debate, Flanagan and Tafoya spar over track records and policy positionsMPR News (KTTC report)
• DebateAug 5, 2026U.S. Senate candidates spar over immigration, tariffs at FarmfestFarmfest forum (MPR News)

Top articles

1. NPR (via KJZZ)Fraud, affordability and Trump policies drive friction in Minnesota Senate debateOct 17, 2026
2. FOX 9Senate debate: Lt. Gov. Flanagan, Republican nominee Tafoya spar over fraud, taxesOct 16, 2026
3. FOX 9Minnesota Senate primary election: Michele Tafoya wins Republican nominationAug 11, 2026

Overview

Michele Tafoya is a former NBC Sports sideline reporter who has since worked as a conservative commentator and Republican political consultant. The 2026 race was her first campaign for public office. fox9.com mprnews.org

She won the Republican primary for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat on Aug. 11, 2026, ahead of party-endorsed candidate Adam Schwarze and Royce White, and ran against DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. She has described herself as a pro-choice Republican. fox9.com kttc.com

Platform

• Says she would cosponsor the Deporting Fraudsters Act to deport immigrants convicted of fraud.micheletafoya.com
• Proposes mandatory minimum federal prison sentences for fraud and cutting federal funds to states without basic anti-fraud controls.micheletafoya.com
• Says she opposes any tax increase on the middle class and would protect the Working Family Tax Cuts from repeal.micheletafoya.com
• Says she supports voter ID, paper ballots and the SAVE Act.micheletafoya.com
• Says she supports temporary farm labor programs, including the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act and H-2A visa changes, while opposing amnesty.mprnews.org