Minnesota’s Democratic Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith was appointed as U.S. senator on Wednesday to replace Al Franken, who resigned after being accused of sexual harassment, Minnesota’s Governor Mark Dayton said at a news conference.
Governor Dayton said that Smith will serve a one-year term in the Senate, concluding in January 2019. Smith, 59, will run in a special election for the seat next year. Smith became lieutenant governor in January 2015. She previously worked as Dayton’s chief of staff and held positions at General Mills and Planned Parenthood.
Last week Franken, 66, announced his resignation from the seat he has held since 2009. The former comedian has denied some of the allegations against him and questioned others.
Minnesota will soon have two women senators, as Smith will join fellow Democrat Amy Klobuchar, 57, who became the state’s first woman senator after winning election a year ago.
The Republican Party’s slim majority in the Senate will not be affected by the move to replace Franken. Democrats will gain a seat to cut Republican’s majority in the 100-member Senate to 51 after Tuesday night’s victory by Doug Jones over Republican candidate Roy Moore in a special election in Alabama.
