Image via WikipediaDemocrat Mark Dayton is now the Governor-elect of Minnesota. Republican Tom Emmer conceded the race to the former U.S. Senator on Wednesday. With Dayton's lead of around 8700 votes not changing much following the election and state-mandated recount, and with every legal challenge to disputed votes denied, Emmer realized that all the king's horses and all the king's men (and women) could not contain the inevitable.This puts to an end the second recount for a major Minnesota political race in as many years, though this one wasn't nearly as close as the 2008 U.S. Senate battle between Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken. All the posturing, the challenges to the votes, and threats of lawsuits made the GOP look greedy. Like a child having visions of sugarplum fairies, the GOP had dreams of being in control of both the Governor's office and the Legislature, at least for awhile. Then Emmer came to his senses and pulled the plug.
Dayton will succeed Tim Pawlenty as scheduled on January 3, the first Democrat to take the oath as Governor in 20 years. He will face difficulties immediately. Pawlenty left him and the state with a $6.2 billion deficit. He has a Republican legislature to deal with, which means the new Governor will find it difficult to implement his plan to raise taxes for the rich. And, of course, the Minnesota Vikings want a new football stadium.
Until then, Dayton is scrambling to assemble a staff, find new living quarters, and to brush up on every detail of his new job. Those won't be nearly as hard as what the next few months and years will bring to him and to Minnesotans. Let's see how he handles it.
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