A working group looking for ways to fix problems with sex-assault investigations in Minnesota began its work Tuesday — less than two months before an election that will, at the very least, shuffle the deck in the governor’s office and legislature. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson — who assembled the group — argues despite that, its work will endure. “Credibly deep bench of experience,” she says, “and by coming up with these solutions… I think that should be a real signal to policymakers that this is something that this group can collectively agree on [and] hopefully policymakers can as well.”
Swanson herself leaves office in January after an unsuccessful bid for governor in the primary election. As to rumors she could mount a write-in campaign for Minnesota attorney general, given allegations against DFL-endorsed candidate Keith Ellison: “That is a ‘no.’ That is a ‘no.’ That is an absolute ‘no.’ People have too much time on their hands sometimes I think develop conspiracy theories. That is a ‘no.'”