Tina Smith wins Democratic Senate primary in Minnesota

Sen. Tina Smith won the Democratic Senate primary in Minnesota on Tuesday as she seeks a full term in November.

Smith defeated four other Democrats who put up minimal competition and will be the heavy favorite in November in a race The Cook Political Report rates as “solid” Democrat. 

The incumbent senator was declared the winner with more than 86 percent of the vote with 13 percent of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press.

She will face former Rep. Jason Lewis (R-Minn.) in the general election. Lewis defeated four other Republicans in the GOP primary on Tuesday, capturing more than 83 percent of the vote.

Smith, Minnesota’s former lieutenant governor, was appointed to her seat in 2018 after former Sen. Al Franken (D) resigned in scandal. Later that year, she won the special election to finish his term.

Smith thanked supporters on Tuesday in a video posted to Twitter:

Thanks so much to everyone who made phone calls, sent texts, registered voters, and who voted in today’s Primary! I am so proud to be your U.S. Senator. Let’s keep fighting together, so we can win this in November. pic.twitter.com/DveT2naTGo

— Tina Smith (@TinaSmithMN) August 12, 2020