Republican Michelle Fischbach resigned her state Senate seat today and was officially sworn in as lieutenant governor in the Democratic Dayton administration. Fischbach according to the Constitution became lieutenant governor in January when Tina Smith resigned after Governor Mark Dayton appointed her to fill the balance of Al Franken’s term. Fischbach contended she could be a state senator at the same time and retained that seat through the legislative session despite a lawsuit by Democrats, which she says will now be dropped. Fischbach says she will *not* run for her Senate seat representing the Payneville area in this fall’s special election. “The governor had said in his press conference that there won’t be a special session. I feel it’s time that I can end my legislative career and I won’t be seeking that seat,” she said.
Tim Pawlenty hasn’t named his lieutenant governor running mate yet, and there’s speculation that Fischbach might be on his short list. Fischbach wouldn’t comment after she took the oath as lieutenant governor this morning and the Pawlenty campaign couldn’t be reached for comment. Carleton College political science Professor Steven Schier says, “I think Tim Pawlenty would be looking for a female Republican running mate and someone who has stature within the party, and certainly Michelle Fischbach fits those criteria.”