MN-SEN: Attorney General Lori Swanson among those the running for appointment.

[RandySF]

PERSONAL NOTE: I'm still processing Al Franken's departure and sorting through some strong feeling best kept to myself for the time-being.


Franken announced Thursday on the Senate floor that he would resign his seat in the coming weeks amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Attention now turns to DFL Gov. Mark Dayton, who is tasked with appointing someone to fill the soon-to-be vacant seat. In a statement, he said he will announce his choice in the next couple of days.

One of the biggest questions facing the governor is whether he should select a placeholder candidate — someone who will temporarily fill the seat and not run for election in November of 2018 — or give a boost to a Democrat who would run for the seat.

Plenty of potential candidate names are already floating around. Topping many lists is DFL Lt. Gov. Tina Smith — a longtime ally of Dayton whom many see as a likely placeholder candidate. Other names surfacing for the post include Attorney General Lori Swanson, 1st District Rep. Tim Walz and St. Paul Rep. Erin Murphy. Both Walz and Murphy are running for governor but could potentially switch to running for the Senate.

Others are saying they would like to see the governor appoint a person of color to the seat — such as 5th District Rep. Keith Ellison, who is African American, or state Rep. Ilhan Omar, who is Somali-American.


http://www.postbulletin.com/news/politics/who-will-replace-franken-political-leaders-weigh-in/article_d3127685-eee3-539b-85c5-931dcd57f3fe.html

[dflprincess]

1. Lori Swanson would be excellent

we know she can win statewide and she's an outstanding Attorney General especially in the area of consumer protection.

[underthematrix]

2. You hit the nail on the head.

She is excellence and could win a statewide election

I'm also totally okay if he appoints LtGov Tina Smith as a placeholder although it would be better to have someone in the seat who planned to run for the seat.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Now there is a Winner.

No problem with a State Wide Race. She is a keeper. Prefect Book End with Amy K. That would scare the living hell out of the GOpoopers.