Minnesota Senate appointment creates a mess back home

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The elevation of Minnesota's Republican state Senate president to lieutenant governor as part of a chain reaction after U.S. Sen. Al Franken's resignation will likely lead to a legal fight over whether she can hold two jobs.

Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Lt. Gov. Tina Smith on Wednesday to take Franken's seat when he steps down, which she indicated would likely be in early January. That choice quickly triggered major constitutional questions of how she'll be replaced and partisan bickering about the ramifications for the state Senate, where Republicans currently hold a one-seat majority.

The constitution says the state Senate president ascends to the lieutenant governor's office.