🚨Not so quick!
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) January 5, 2026
Walz has worked out a scheme with Senator Amy Klobuchar.
In the scheme, Sen. Klobuchar would run for governor and, upon winning, would resign her U.S. Senate seat to become governor of Minnesota, and, as governor, would have the authority to make an appointment… https://t.co/LZqLdtz7Ui
Walz has worked out a scheme with Senator Amy Klobuchar.
In the scheme, Sen. Klobuchar would run for governor and, upon winning, would resign her U.S. Senate seat to become governor of Minnesota, and, as governor, would have the authority to make an appointment to fill the resulting vacancy in her former Senate seat, appointing Tim Walz.
Tina Smith became the junior U.S. Senator from Minnesota through gubernatorial appointment following a vacancy.
In late 2017, Senator Al Franken (D-MN) faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and announced his intention to resign.
On December 13, 2017, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton (D) appointed his then-Lieutenant Governor, Tina Smith, to fill the seat temporarily.
This followed Minnesota law, which allows the governor to appoint a temporary replacement for U.S. Senate vacancies until a special election can be held.
Franken officially resigned on January 2, 2018, and Smith was sworn in on January 3, 2018.
She then ran in the 2018 special election (held alongside the regular midterm elections) and won, completing the remainder of Franken's term (which ended in 2021).
Smith was re-elected to a full six-year term in 2020, with her current term ending on January 3, 2027.
Note: Tina Smith has announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, so at least one seat will be open in the November 2026 election. As of January 5, 2026, both Klobuchar and Smith are still in office.
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