![Minnesota Democrats Aim to Clear Smith’s Path for 2018 Bid](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/12/Tina-Smith.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Democrats Aim to Clear Smith’s Path for 2018 Bid
Tina Smith
ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota's next senator could face a clear path to the 2018 general election.
Support poured in immediately among Democrats for Lt. Gov Tina Smith's appointment to replace Sen. Al Franken. That included a 2018 endorsement from Rep. Keith Ellison, who had been weighing a bid himself.
Ellison says he decided uniting Democrats to keep Franken's seat in the party's hands was more important than his own ambition.
It leaves little room for a credible Democratic challenger to Smith, who says she'll run for the seat next year. State Sen. Melisa Franzen is one of few who is mulling a run.
No Republicans have launched a 2018 campaign since Franken's resignation last week. Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is considering a bid.
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