Pawlenty sets meeting with advisers on governor run

A top adviser says former Gov. Tim Pawlenty has scheduled a meeting with his inner circle as he nears a decision on whether to run for governor. Pawlenty's possibly entry has been the source of speculation for months, and would likely be the immediate favorite among Republicans if he gets in.

Franken replacement looks to hang on to seat for Dems

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith is set to join the U.S. Senate next year, taking the seat left open by the resignation of former Sen. Alan Stuart Franken Democrats turn on Al Franken Schumer called, met with Franken and told him to resign Overnight Finance: Trump says shutdown 'could happen' Many assumed that Smith would only hold the seat temporarily until the 2018 special election, where voters would choose her successor.

Al Franken rips Trump, GOP in final Senate speech

At noon Thursday, Sen. Al Franken addressed the Senate for the last time, giving a half-hour resignation speech that touched on everything from voter fraud to climate change but held an overarching message - that the Trump administration is chipping away at the pillars supporting American democracy. Over the past few weeks, there has been speculation that Franken might walk back his promise to resign, since he made his initial resignation speech in early December.

Minnesota AG: Republican Senate Leader Can’t Hold 2 Jobs

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Minnesota lieutenant governor to replace Franken in U.S. Senate

The chief executive of New Hampshire Motor Speedway says he's confident that a country music festival scheduled for the venue this summer will go on as planned, despite a lawsuit by... Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith shares a laugh at a reporter's question after Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton announced Smith to replace U.S. Senator Al ... (more)

Franken, soon-to-be-gone, but back at Senate job

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., who said last week he'll step down in the coming weeks due to mounting allegations of sexual misconduct, attends a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., who said last week he'll step down in the coming weeks due to mounting allegations of sexual misconduct, attends a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017.

2018 race for Franken seat attracts lots of names, sets up seismic shift

Sen. Al Franken's decision to step down amid a growing sexual-harassment scandal has scrambled Minnesota's 2018 election. Political operatives in Minnesota and Washington were drawing up lists of candidates to run for Sen. Al Franken's Senate seat even before his resignation speech last week, searching for prospects with the profile, fundraising prowess and mettle to sprint to next November's special election - and then do it again in 2020 to hold the seat another six years.

In Franken’s fall, sudden Senate pickup chance for GOP

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., second from right, holds hands with his wife Franni Bryson, left, as he leaves the Capitol after speaking on the Senate floor, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Franken said he will resign from the Senate in coming weeks following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations and a collapse of support from his Democratic colleagues, a swift political fall for a once-rising Democratic star.

Garrison Keillor off the air after misconduct allegations

Keillor said Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017, he has been fired by Minnesota ... . FILE - In this July 26, 2017 file photo, Garrison Keillor, creator and former host of, "A Prairie Home Companion," talks at his St. Paul, Minn., office.