Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton,strongly considering appointing Lt. Gov. Tina Smith if Franken resigns

[Jimbo101]

ABC News

"No final decision has been made yet; he is still discussing with his family [and] still plans to give an announcement tomorrow," a spokesman in Sen. Franken's office told ABC News.

The sources say Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, is strongly considering appointing Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, also a Democrat, to Franken's seat, at least temporarily, should he resign.

[LovingA2andMI]

1. He Should Appoint DNC Deputy Chair....

Keith Ellison considering the Only Kamala Harris is the only African-American/Indian-American who sits in the Senate for the DEMOCRATS (Republican Tim Scott does not count). The #KeithForSenate team will await the decision from Franken tomorrow before the calls are made.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I like Keith Ellison a lot, he's my Congressman.

But under the current circumstances, if there has to be a replacement, that person pretty much has to be a woman. Also, I don't think Ellison could win a statewide election - out in the hinterlands (like CD7) unfortunately there are a lot of bigots, even among Democrats, who'd have problems voting for a black person OR a Muslim, let alone someone who's both. And I'd really prefer that Keith stay right where he is; he's an effective Congressman for CD5.

[dflprincess]

10. And let's not even think about what would happen in CD 6 nt

[SoCalNative]

3. He's needed more in the House

keep him where he is needed most

[LovingA2andMI]

4. Who Says?

Keith Ellison, if Franken was to step down, is NEEDED in the Senate for the SENATE to begun reflecting more of what the COUNTRY looks like. We need two minority Senators in the Senate for the DEMOCRATS.

Again, this all depends on what Al Franken actually does, tomorrow (Thursday).

[SoCalNative]

8. Mazie Hirono

isn't a minority?

Cory Booker isn't a minority?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. He's no use if he can't win the senate seat. He can easily hold his house seat in CD5

but I guarantee you that he'd get his clock cleaned in a statewide election.

[Jimbo101]

5. I've seen a number of names floated -

Minnesota is lucky to have a lot of good Democrats to step up.

(still not happy about whats happening to Franken - I'll reserve judgement until tomorrow's news conference)

I wish him luck in whatever he does ! (hopefully a thorn in the side of republicans anywhere and everywhere)

[Cicada]

6. Before college gutsy Tina went to Alaska to work on the Trans-Alaska pipeline

A high school girl from New Mexico goes to work on a pipeline in Prudhoe Bay? She probably made a fortune to have money for Stanford. Smart and gutsy.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. This better work out better than

that lousy Wendy Anderson appointment did years ago. Major screw up on that one.

[WorkDoctor]

9. Dayton also shot

the party in its foot by declaring now that the replacement Senator would be a "placeholder" and not allowed to run for the seat on her/his own. This handcuffs Dems. Why did he feel he had to make further sacrifices when Franken's departure could have been prevented? btw, met Tina Smith, she is very good and deserves a shot at the seat with full privileges.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. Not at all. Maybe Tina Smith didn't want to run for the permanent seat.

Also, I assume there will be a primary election next spring so we can choose a candidate to run in the special election. It's bad enough that my vote for Franken in 2020 was taken away; I'd at least like to have some choice as to who runs to replace him.

[rockfordfile]

11. This Senate seat will become silent next year. No fight against Trump/GOP