Incoming Minnesota Lawmaker To Play Active Role

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The incoming lieutenant governor of Minnesota is promising to play a more active and visible role than her predecessors.

Tina Smith is about to make the transition from Governor Mark Dayton's chief of staff to his lieutenant governor.

Although she's still figuring out what her role will be, she says she wants to publicly serve as the governor's right-hand woman.

Smith will continue working on the board overseeing the economic development project for Mayo Clinic's Destination Medical Center in Rochester. She says she also plans to focus on job growth in other initiatives.

Reports say the Minnesota Constitution simply requires a lieutenant governor to fill a vacancy in the governor's office.

Smith says Dayton is giving her a lot of freedom and flexibility in her role.