Challenges Faced by Tina Smith: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Tina Smith. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Tina Smith is an American politician and the junior United States Senator from Minnesota, serving since 2018. Affiliated with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), a Democratic Party affiliate, she previously worked as a political consultant and businesswoman. Smith's career transitioned from the private sector to public service, culminating in her current role representing Minnesota in the U.S. Senate.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1998: Managed Ted Mondale's Campaign

In 1998, Tina Smith managed Ted Mondale's unsuccessful campaign for governor.

2002: Managed Walter Mondale's Senate Campaign

In 2002, Tina Smith managed Walter Mondale's last-minute campaign for the United States Senate election in Minnesota after the death of Senator Paul Wellstone.

2002: Managed Walter Mondale's Senate Campaign after Wellstone's Death

In 2002, Tina Smith managed former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale's campaign for the U.S. Senate seat after Paul Wellstone's death.

March 2018: Letter on Mass Shootings

In March 2018, Tina Smith and nine other senators signed a letter to the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions requesting a hearing on the causes and remedies of mass shootings following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

August 2018: Letter on Migrant Children Reunification

In August 2018, Tina Smith was one of 17 senators to sign a letter demanding that the Trump administration take immediate action in attempting to reunite 539 migrant children with their families, citing each passing day of inaction as intensifying trauma.

October 2018: Letter on LGBTQ Diplomat Visas

In October 2018, Tina Smith and 19 other senators signed a letter urging Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to reverse the rolling back of a policy that granted visas to same-sex partners of LGBTQ diplomats who had unions that were not recognized by their home countries.

December 2018: Letter on Affordable Care Act

In December 2018, Tina Smith and 41 other senators signed a letter to Trump administration officials arguing that the administration was improperly using Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act to authorize states to increase health care costs for millions of consumers while weakening protections for individuals with preexisting conditions.

2018: Letter to FDA Commissioner

In January 2019, during the United States federal government shutdown, Tina Smith and 33 other senators signed a letter to Commissioner of Food and Drugs Scott Gottlieb recognizing the efforts of the FDA to address the shutdown's effect on public health and employees while remaining alarmed that the continued shutdown would result in increasingly harmful effects on the agency's employees and the safety and security of the nation's food and medical products.

January 2019: Letter to FDA Commissioner

In January 2019, during the United States federal government shutdown, Tina Smith and 33 other senators signed a letter to Commissioner of Food and Drugs Scott Gottlieb recognizing the efforts of the FDA to address the shutdown's effect on public health and employees. They expressed alarm that the continued shutdown would result in increasingly harmful effects on the agency's employees and the safety and security of the nation's food and medical products.

February 2019: Letter on Insulin Prices

In February 2019, Tina Smith and ten other senators signed a letter to insulin manufacturers Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi about their increased insulin prices, which had deprived patients of access to the life-saving medications they need.

April 2019: Letter on Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program

In April 2019, Tina Smith and 40 other senators signed a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program and expressing disappointment that President Trump's budget slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development.

May 2019: Speech on Depression Experiences

In May 2019, Tina Smith described her experiences with getting help in college and in her early 30s for depression during a speech on the Senate floor.

July 2019: Letter on Protection for Military Families

In July 2019, Tina Smith was one of 22 senators to sign a letter arguing against terminating the protection that prevents deportation of spouses, parents, and children of active-duty service members, as it would cause hardship and negatively affect combat performance.

2020: Letter on Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program

In April 2019, Tina Smith and 40 other senators signed a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program as authorizing "HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country" and expressing disappointment that President Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development." The senators wrote of their hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.

January 6, 2021: Participated in Electoral College Vote Certification and Responded to Capitol Attack

On January 6, 2021, Tina Smith participated in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count. After Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol, Smith called them "seditionists", blamed Trump for inciting the attack and supported the certification of the count after the Capitol was secured. She also called for Trump's immediate removal from office.