Marisa
Simonetti
Independent businesswoman and CEO from Plymouth, MN, running for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026.
- sources
- 5
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 6
Background
Marisa Simonetti is an Independent candidate for Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat in the November 2026 election, which is an open-seat contest following the retirement of incumbent Sen. Tina Smith. 3
Simonetti is described by her campaign and KAXE as a businesswoman and CEO, based in Plymouth, Minnesota. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota. 13
In 2024, she ran for Hennepin County Commissioner in District 6, losing to incumbent Heather Edelson. Minnesota Secretary of State results showed Simonetti receiving approximately 26,602 votes compared to Edelson's 56,929. 1013 A 2024 Star Tribune report noted she had led the Simonetti Real Estate Team and reported that Minnesota's Department of Commerce revoked her real-estate license in 2016, imposing a seven-year bar and a $1,500 fine. 8
Her 2026 Senate campaign describes her focus on accountability within the justice system, including addressing Brady/Giglio and other constitutional violations. 1
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Minnesota
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- CEO
- Website
- marisasimonetti.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11controversyReport: Simonetti sentenced to 90 days in workhouse in tarantula-related tenant dispute case
A Ground News page summarized a Fashion Times report saying Simonetti was sentenced to 90 days in the Hennepin County workhouse following a jury conviction arising from a tenant dispute involving a live tarantula. The story was covered by only one source not yet evaluated for media reliability, and could not be independently verified through court records or established local outlets.
US Senate Candidate Who Confronted Girl Scout and Mother for Selling Cookies Without a Permit Was Sentenced for Throwing a Live Tarantula at Her Neighbour · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28pollInsiderAdvantage poll shows Simonetti at 1% in Minnesota Senate race
An InsiderAdvantage survey of 1,200 likely voters found Peggy Flanagan at 46%, Michele Tafoya at 45%, Libertarian Rebecca Whiting at 2%, and Simonetti at 1%, with 6% undecided. Margin of error was ±2.95%.
Senate race in Minnesota officially a 'toss up' as most recent poll sh · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24filingSimonetti listed as independent U.S. Senate candidate on Minnesota's certified general-election ballot
A candidate-tracking page citing the Minnesota Secretary of State's general-election candidate file listed Marisa Simonetti as an independent candidate for U.S. Senate on the November 3 ballot.
Marisa Simonetti - U.S. Senator, Minnesota - Candidate Alerts · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- John Bristol officialListed under 'RECOMMENDED BY' on Simonetti's campaign website with title 'for State Representative'. No date or endorsement statement provided. marisasimonetti.com
- Steven Jacob officialListed under 'RECOMMENDED BY' on Simonetti's campaign website with title 'House of Representatives 20B'. No date or endorsement statement provided. marisasimonetti.com
- Pam Altendorf officialListed under 'RECOMMENDED BY' on Simonetti's campaign website with title 'House of Representatives 20A'. No date or endorsement statement provided. marisasimonetti.com
- Dennis Walsh officialListed under 'RECOMMENDED BY' on Simonetti's campaign website with title 'Mayor of Orono'. No date or endorsement statement provided. marisasimonetti.com
- Tad Jude officialListed under 'RECOMMENDED BY' on Simonetti's campaign website with title 'for US Congress'. No date or endorsement statement provided. marisasimonetti.com
- Senator Karin Housely officialListed under 'RECOMMENDED BY' on Simonetti's campaign website with title 'Senator'. No date or endorsement statement provided. marisasimonetti.com
Sources 5
- [1] US Senate Candidate Who Confronted Girl Scout and Mother for Selling Cookies Without a Permit Was Sentenced for Throwing a Live Tarantula at Her Neighbour(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Marisa Simonetti for U.S. Senate 2026 | Making the system ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [3] 2026 Election Guide: U.S. Senate – Marisa Simonetti(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [4] Senate race in Minnesota officially a 'toss up' as most recent poll sh(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [5] Marisa Simonetti - U.S. Senator, Minnesota - Candidate Alerts(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026