Former DFL Majority Leader Tony Sertich has been tapped by Gov. Mark Dayton to be Commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).  Dayton said about Sertich "He will have my full support and active involvement in searching for every possible new business and new job for the Range.”  Sertich added "As a fourth generation Ranger, there is nothing more important to me than seeing my home region's economy strengthened, and that it provide more opportunities now and for future generations.”

House Speaker Kurt Zellers greets Rep. Tony Sertich on House floor.

If Democrats had held on to the House, Sertich was expected to ascend to House Speaker's desk now occupied by Republican Kurt Zellers.  Sertich will resign his House seat on Thursday, January 13th. Governor Dayton will call a special election for February 15th.  The Chisholm representative has repeatedly shrugged off any interest in running for Congress.  Democrats I've spoken with are interested in Sen. Al Franken staffer Daniel Fanning.  The Iraqi War veteran attended Gov. Dayton's inaugural ball this weekend and told me he is considering a run against Congressman Chip Cravaack.  Insiders joke it would be "tall, dark and handsome versus tall, dark and handsome."