Politics

Here Is The Woman Who Will Replace Al Franken

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Henry Rodgers Chief National Correspondent
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Minnesota’s female Democratic lieutenant governor was appointed to replace Sen. Al Franken who announced his resignation from the U.S. Senate Thursday, following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

Tina Smith, the current Minnesota lieutenant governor was appointed to Franken’s seat by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton in a speech Wednesday morning after more than two dozen of his Democratic colleagues in the Senate called for the Minnesota Democrat to resign.

“It will my great honor to serve Minnesota as United State senator,” Smith said after accepting the appointment. “I am resolved to do everything I can to move Minnesota forward. … This is a difficult moment for us. But even now, I am filled with optimist for Minnesota.”

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Smith is reportedly being appointed due to her relationship with Dayton. She worked under the Minnesota governor as his chief of staff on his first gubernatorial campaign and ran as his running mate in 2o14. Smith was also vice president of external affairs for Planned Parenthood in Minnesota,  South Dakota and North Dakota, from 2003 to 2006. (RELATED: Flood Of Dem Female Senators Tell Franken To Resign) 

It is unclear when Smith will begin her new job as a U.S. Senator as Franken has yet to specify the date he will leave the Senate.

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