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State Representative Ryan Winkler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7026
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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VOTERS, NOT GOVERNOR, SHOULD SELECT U.S. SENATORS SAYS WINKLER
ST. PAUL, MN - In light of recent events in Illinois, and amid concerns regarding gubernatorial appointment authority, State Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL - Golden Valley) and State Sen. Ann Rest (DFL - New Hope) are introducing legislation to give Minnesota voters the power to appoint U.S. Senators. Winkler’s bill would require a special election in Minnesota to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy.
“Minnesota voters have a right to expect that they will decide who represents our interests in Washington," said Rep. Winkler. “No single elected official should choose a United States Senator.”
Several other states do not provide gubernatorial appointment authority to fill U.S. Senate vacancies including Wisconsin, Washington, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Alaska.
“We have special elections to fill the vacant seats in Congress and the State Legislature,” said Rest. “There is no reason a United States Senate vacancy should stand alone as the only seat in Minnesota filled without the consent of voters.”
“This proposal in no way reflects a lack of confidence in Governor Tim Pawlenty’s integrity in making a decision to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate,” stated Winkler. “Regardless of who the governor may be, voters should get to decide who their senator will be. We’re introducing this legislation before we know who the voters chose as our next senator to show that this is a needed reform.”
In the midst of a currently unresolved U.S. Senate race in Minnesota, garnering attention from around the country, this is a particularly important time to evaluate the way in which Minnesota chooses its senators. Election reform will likely be an issue of particular focus in the coming legislative session. Rep. Winkler will introduce his bill when the Legislature convenes January 6, 2008.
News Items
- Statement on Budget Forecast - (Posted: 2012-12-05 00:00:00)
- Statement on Final I-35 W Bridge Settlement - (Posted: 2012-11-13 00:00:00)
- Rep. Winkler: Tea Party Activists Can’t Be Trusted to Reform Our Elections - (Posted: 2012-11-01 00:00:00)
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