There’s an open seat in the U.S. Senate, and Republicans are trying to do something they haven’t since 2006: Win a statewide election.

Both parties are working to figure out their nominees for November.

Veteran sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya is taking the political plunge, and if she succeeds she might be one of the more recognizable U.S. senators.

Can Tafoya overcome what’s shaping up as a tough environment for Republicans? If she does, what would Tafoya do in Washington?

MPR politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Tafoya about what led her to run and what it will take to win in November.

Then, the view from some political strategists on how they see the legislative session wrapping up and the fall campaign shaping up.

Guests:

• Michele Tafoya is a former sport broadcaster and Republican running for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat.
• Abou Amara is a DFL political analyst and Twin Cities attorney.
• Preya Samsundar is a GOP political analyst and a campaign consultant.
• Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
• Torey Van Oot is reporter for Axios Twin Cities covering Minnesota politics.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.