Potential impacts of filling Senator Franken's seat

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - The Governor has yet to announce who he will select to fill Senator Franken's seat. One of the possibilities is Lt. Governor Tina Smith, but appointing her would create a trickle-down effect of political musical chairs.

“Unfortunately I’m in the hot seat, but I really enjoy this kind of stuff because it’s all about the rules, how things have to happen and put the pieces together,” said Senator Michelle Fischback.

Fischback finds herself in the middle of a strange game of political dominos. If Lt. Governor Tina Smith is sent to Washington, and speculation is high she’s a top choice, the Senate President will become Lt. Governor. Currently Fischbach, who is Republican, holds that position.

“I would be obligated by the Constitution, but I think there’s other kinds of scenarios that we are looking at to possibly fulfill that requirement without it being me,” she said.

There were a lot of conversations Friday among Senate leadership and lawyers because Republicans only have a one-seat majority. They’re investigating if Fischbach could hold both jobs at once to retain power. Opinions are split. 

Governor Dayton won’t say who is on his list. His office is hearing from a lot of people: constituents and politicians and party leaders.

But if Dayton’s favoring Smith, a reason to delay the announcement could be to let the Senate elect a different Senate President - a Democrat - first.

“A one-day special session, elect a new President of the Senate, have them move to the Lt. Gov. spot and then come back in and hopefully re-elect me as Senate President, said Fischbach.