The following article appeared on NPR.org on December 13th
By Camila Domonoski
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith has
been appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Al Franken's
upcoming resignation.
Smith, a Democrat, will serve until
January 2019. She also plans to run in a special election next year to serve
out the entirety of Franken's term, which ends in 2020, according to a
source who spoke to Minnesota Public Radio.
MPR reports:
"Smith has served as Minnesota's
48th lieutenant governor since January 2015. [Gov. Mark] Dayton picked Smith,
who was his chief of staff, to be his running mate as he began the campaign for
a second term.
 |
| Tina Smith and Gov. Dayton |
" 'Though I never anticipated
this moment, I'm resolved to do everything I can to move Minnesota forward,'
Smith told reporters." ...
"Smith has been at the forefront
on several administration priorities, including rural broadband expansion,
early childhood education and economic development. She leads the Destination
Medical Center initiative, a public-private economic development partnership in
Rochester, Minn."
It's not clear exactly when Smith
will take over from Franken. On Dec. 7, Franken said he would resign "in
the coming weeks."
Multiple women have accused Franken
of unwanted sexual conduct, including groping
and forced kissing.
His resignation comes amid a raft of allegations of misconduct against powerful
men, many of whom have faced serious consequences.
An ethics investigation of Franken is
underway. Franken has apologized, while also saying that his memory of events
differs from what many women describe. He announced he would resign while also
defending his record as an champion for women.
(Article continued HERE)
Ed. Gov. Dayton has put the cart before the horse, hasn't he? Al Franken has not left the building!
Maybe Democrats figure they should have an EXTRA senator in Minnesota? Given the spine and class Republicans have, they may well get away with it too!
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