Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
46.4%
9.9%
Minnesota Republican Senate nominee?
$66.5K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSports broadcaster
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age61 years old (Dec 17, 1964)
GenderFemale
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LocationMinnesota
BackgroundSports broadcaster
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley — B.A., Mass Communications (1988)
Notable personal detailsMichele Joan Tafoya is an American sports journalist and broadcaster who worked for CBS Sports, ESPN/ABC, and NBC Sports, including as the lead sideline reporter for NBC's Sunday Night Football from 2011 to 2022. She earned a B.A. in mass communications from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California. In January 2026, she announced a Republican candidacy for the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Minnesota.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgdocquery.fec.govwikidata.orgnbcsports.comaxios.comtimesofindia.indiatimes.comes.wikipedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgsportingnews.comboston.commn.electionarchives.lib.umn.eduforbes.comcbsnews.comminnpost.comd1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.netasaptext.comuwrfvoice.comdl.icdst.orgsos.mn.govmicheletafoya.comwashingtonpost.comiheart.comwww6.twstalker.comam1100theflag.comdscc.orgapnews.compeople.comlocal10.comwwaytv3.comnotus.orgalphanews.orgwashingtonnewsday.comwgauradio.comyahoo.comchange.orgdailykos.comparkrapidsenterprise.comfoxnews.comstartribune.comradio.foxnews.comnoticias.foxnews.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgfec.govballotready.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgit.wikipedia.orggovinfo.govsenate.govdailypress.senate.govcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate emphasizes protecting taxpayers, reducing burdens on businesses, lowering costs for families, and combating government fraud and waste. She supports policies to make businesses thrive by reducing taxes and regulation and says families are struggling with costs such as rent, mortgages, and energy.
Healthcare
The candidate has publicly criticized the Affordable Care Act as ineffective and has posted commentary opposing ACA policies and subsidies. Her campaign and public messaging emphasize rooting out Medicaid fraud and lowering costs rather than expanding government health programs. She has also described herself as a pro‑choice Republican on abortion policy.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger immigration enforcement and federal law‑enforcement involvement in Minnesota; says she will deport dangerous criminals and stand with law enforcement in response to recent federal immigration operations. Her campaign launch video and statements emphasize public safety and backing federal agents during immigration enforcement actions.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate identifies as a pro‑choice Republican who supports abortion access while indicating some limits on very late‑term abortion. She says abortion policy should largely be handled at the state level following Dobbs.
Polls
Minnesota Republican Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Minnesota Republican Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Michele Tafoya for Minnesota Republican Senate nominee?
Tony Dungy
Public figure
Tony Dungy endorsed Michele Tafoya in the Minnesota Republican Senate primary.
National Republican Senatorial Committee
Political organization
National Republican Senatorial Committee endorsed Michele Tafoya in the Minnesota Senate race.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$2.0M
$1.5M
$1.0M
$510.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$2.0M
$1.9M
$187.0K
$12.5K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- News