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Minnesota Republican will run for Al Franken's Senate seat

Minnesota Republican will run for Al Franken's Senate seat

If Senator Al Franken, D-Minn., ever vacates his seat, as he promised weeks ago following sexual misconduct allegations, there will be a special election in November 2018 to fill the remainder of his term. A Republican challenger has emerged as a contender for that seat.

Minnesota state Sen. Karin Housley, R, posted a video on her Twitter account announcing her candidacy for the seat still occupied by Sen. Franken.

“I’m Karin Housley and I’m running for U.S. Senate,” she announces. “You might be asking yourself: Why would anyone want to go to Washington right now and be part of that dysfunction they call Congress? Actually, I can’t think of any place in this country more in need of someone like me right now.”

In the video, Housley, the “daughter of two public school teachers,” played up her Minnesota roots and her record in the state senate. A successful realtor and published author, Housley also has name recognition among hockey fans, as she is married to Buffalo Sabres head coach and NHL Hall of Famer Phil Housley. Housley characterized her record in the state senate as pro-veteran, pro-business, and pro-life.

On Dec. 7, Sen. Franken announced that he would be resigning “in the coming weeks,” without specifying when, exactly, he will leave the U.S. Senate. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, D, has picked Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, D, to serve as U.S. senator in the interim between Franken’s resignation and the 2018 special election. Smith intends to campaign to fill the remainder of Franken’s term in 2018. If she ever becomes a U.S. Senator. If Al Franken ever resigns.

Housley is the first Republican to announce her candidacy.

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