![Dayton Pressured on Franken Appointment](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/11/Governor-Mark-Dayton.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Dayton Pressured on Franken Appointment
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ Two Democrats tell The Associated Press that Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is coming under pressure from party leaders to appoint more than a placeholder to fill Sen. Al Franken's seat until a special election next year.
Dayton initially planned to name his lieutenant governor, Tina Smith, to the post following Franken's Thursday announcement that he will resign. Smith would have served just until a 2018 special election.
But a Democratic official familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press that Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has pressured Dayton to name a replacement who will also run for re-election next year to serve the remainder of Franken's term, which runs through 2020.
The official and a separate Democratic operative said Friday that Smith is now considering a possible run herself. Neither Democrat was authorized to discuss the
conditions before Dayton's announcement.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Three People Hurt In Crash In Rice On Friday](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2019/12/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Hormel Seeking Nominations for 10 Under 20 Heroes](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/04/attachment-MicrosoftTeams-image-18.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Murphy Named New Principal For Clearview Elementary](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/07/clearview-elementary1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fishing is Good in MN; Where to Fish is the Challenge](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/10/attachment-Glen-Schmitt-taken-by-Ben-Schmitt-edit.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Strong Turnout At 1st Annual Spearfishing Decoy Show](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/12/attachment-DSC01510.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Want To Own Your Own Movie Theater? That Chance Awaits You In Hutchinson!](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2023/07/attachment-Jenna-Vikse-via-Jenna-Vikse-Real-Estate.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This Oddly Named Minneapolis Business Is Really An Artists Dream World](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2023/01/attachment-Image-Credit-Google-Maps.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Did You Know Minnesota Senators are Banned from Looking at Each Other?](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/01/GettyImages-1221532967.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Governor Promotes Mask Drive to Slow Virus Spread](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/04/Coronavirus1.jpg?w=980&q=75)