Obligatory Franken Potential Replacement Poll

[Minnesota Mike]

- It is very unlikely Franken resigns unless something else drops.

- Ellison would be a horrible choice and would likely lose statewide.  I live in rural Minnesota and sadly a black Muslim from Minneapolis would do even worse than Clinton did outstate.

- Swanson is the obvious favorite. Maybe Smith (Dayton favorite) or Walz (I think he prefers the Governors race).

- If a placeholder is appointed it would not be Mondale (he's 89 years old) but maybe Smith (if she does not want the job permanently)  or maybe retired state supreme court justice (and NFL Hall of Famer) Alan Page.

[Minnesota Mike]

- It is very unlikely Franken resigns unless something else drops.

- Ellison would be a horrible choice and would likely lose statewide.  I live in rural Minnesota and sadly a black Muslim from Minneapolis would do even worse than Clinton did outstate.

Why would someone who voted for Barack Obama twice in 2008 and 2012 not vote for someone based on being a Muslim?  

- Obama is not a Muslim
- Ellison is far more Liberal than Obama and Obama is far better politician. 

[Minnesota Mike]

Peterson easily

First of all he could hold the senate seat for as long as he wants a true moderate
Second the GOP would finally pick up Minnesota 8th.

-Peterson would get crushed in the 2018 Democratic Primary.

- He represents the 7th, not the 8th.

[Minnesota Mike]

The problem with Smith is that the Republican Senate President would take over her position as Lt. Governor.

Well the MN Lt. Gov. does nothing, so as long as Dayton doesn't die or have a scandal in the next year no problem.

The Governor of Minnesota doesn't choose his LG in the event of an LG vacancy?

The relevant text of the law:

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But once again, the LG does nothing anyway. But if Smith is appointed, it'll be just as a seatwarmer. Smith is Dayton's former chief of staff who he opted to run with when his old LG stood down in 2014, just a cupcake position as a reward.

Agree that the MN LG's only real statutory role is filling a gubernatorial vacancy but Smith is extremely tight with Dayton and is a major force in his administration.  It is rumored that as Dayton's health has deteriorated she has more or less been running the show.

[Minnesota Mike]

No love for R.T. Rybak?

I don't think he even lives in Minnesota anymore. He has a high up DNC position and a house in Maryland now.

Rybak still lives in Minneapolis and is the  Executive Director of Generation Next, an organization seeking to help close the achievement gap for minority students.