After Gov. Mark Dayton appointed his Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to replace Sen. Al Franken, Minnesota Congressional Democrats Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum released statements praising the appointment.
Rep. Ellison said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, “Congratulations to my friend Tina Flint Smith on her appointment to the U.S. Senate. Tina is a progressive champion who will be an extraordinary senator for the people of Minnesota. From expanding broadband access in rural areas to investing in early childhood education, Tina has always put working people ahead of special interests, and that’s what she’ll do in the Senate. I look forward to working with her to protect health care, stand for respect for all, and fight for Minnesota families. Tina Smith is the right person at the right time and has my full support both now and when she runs in the 2018 special election.”
Rep. McCollum said in a separate statement provided to PoliticusUSA, “Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith is an outstanding choice to be Minnesota’s next United States Senator. I have worked with Tina for years — she is a good friend, an incredibly hard worker, and a woman who is totally committed to our state. Tina will be a fierce advocate for families, work for good jobs, and fight to protect health care for all Minnesotans. I look forward to working with her in Congress to continue building a country where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.”
Gender has nothing to do with why Smith was the best choice. She is very qualified, well regarded by all, and she has run and won a statewide election. If Al Franken had to go, Gov. Dayton made the right call when he picked Tina Smith to fill the seat. Smith’s appointed term will end in January 2019, but she plans on running in the special election to fill the rest of Franken’s term, which ends in 2020.
She will be a fine advocate for the interests of the people of Minnesota, and she will have a decent chance of keeping the seat by winning a full term.
The Al Franken scandal has been a painful chapter for Democrats, but the appointment of Smith, the party can begin to turn the page and resume the fight against the Trump agenda.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
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