Governor Mark Dayton appears to *not* have a problem with a Republican becoming lieutenant governor, after announcing today he’ll appoint current Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith to replace Senator Al Franken. Republicans say they offered to elect a Democrat as state Senate president, so *that* person could become lieutenant governor, rather than a Republican. Dayton appears open to that but says *he* will not pursue it, and looks forward to developing a cooperative relationship with Republican Senator Michelle Fischbach from Paynesville, who’s in line to become lieutenant governor. Dayton adds tongue-in-cheek, “I’ll do my best to stay healthy so that she gets to be lieutenant governor for the next 400 and some days.”
Some have expressed concern about the governor’s health after a bout with prostate cancer and fainting spells. He says he feels fine.