Governor Mark Dayton announces a replacement this morning (Wed 10am) for Senator Al Franken, and most analysts agree Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith is the most likely choice. That would create a politically sticky situation because a Republican, state Senate President Michelle Fischbach from Paynesville, would then become lieutenant governor. Rumors have been flying of discussions between the governor’s office and GOP leaders about electing a Democratic Senate president who would then become lieutenant governor. Roseville D-F-Ler John Marty says, “The Republicans, they’re in charge of the Senate. They have the votes to elect whoever they want and they may be willing to say, hey, in exchange for something, or just because, look, we understand the governor’s in a pickle.” Marty says such a move would be unexpected, but still possible. “I have trouble believing that’s actually gonna happen, but again, if… the Republican leadership and the governor decided this was a worthwhile thing to do, I can picture it happening,” he says.
Presumably Republicans would want something in exchange and then the question is, would Dayton agree to it?
More in Bill Werner’s interview with Sen. Marty: