Franken To Resign: Speculation Over A Replacement Begins

Sen. Al Franken announced Thursday that he plans to resign from the Senate amid a slew of sexual misconduct allegations against him. Franken faced a flood of calls for him to step down from within his own party Wednesday.

Gov. Mark Dayton, who is now tasked with finding a replacement for Franken, said in a statement Thursday he has "not yet decided on my appointment to fill this upcoming vacancy" but expects to announce his decision "in the next couple of days." Despite Dayton's statement, Politico reports that he is expected to appoint Lt. Gov. Tina Smith.

Other names that have surfaced in the national media include Democratic Reps. Keith Ellison and Tim Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson. Whoever is selected must run for election in 2018.

Related: Franken: ‘Ironic’ To Resign With Trump In Office

The 2018 Senate Race

A formal Franken resignation will trigger a special election that by law must be held in November 2018, meaning that in addition to the open race for governor, both of Minnesota's Democratically-held senate seats will be on the ballot. With no traditional incumbent in Franken's seat, Republicans will see the race as a unique opportunity to recapture at least one of the state's Senate seats.

Minnesota's former Republican governor, Tim Pawlenty, is seen as a top potential candidate to make a run for Senate. Republican Reps. Erik Paulsen and Rep. Tom Emmer are also possible candidates.

CNN speculated that former Rep. Michele Bachmann could use her national profile in a Senate run.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa