minnesota democratic lieutenant governor tina smith appoint u.s. senator wednesday replace al franken resign accuse sexual harassment smith 59 serve one-year term conclude january 2019 governor mark dayton say news conference run special election seat november next year dayton say listen view many minnesotans decide smith one trust assume responsibilities important office dayton say know superb senator represent best interest state citizens smith tell reporters news conference fierce advocate behalf state push economic opportunity fairness difficult moment us even fill optimism say though never anticipate moment resolve everything move minnesota forward smith become lieutenant governor january 2014. previously work dayton chief staff hold position general mill plan parenthood last week franken 66 also democrat announce resignation seat hold since 2009. former comedian deny allegations question others reuters independently verify accusations wednesday news conference smith thank franken service call champion state say respect decision resign sexual harassment disrespectful people tolerate smith say promise work issue get washington d.c. smith excellent senator franken say record accomplishment lieutenant governor demonstrate effective senator know work across party line get things do minnesota franken say statement wednesday minnesota soon two women senators smith join fellow democrat amy klobuchar 57 2006 become state first female elect senator re-elected 2012. minnesota first female senator muriel humphrey appoint 1978 fill seat husband hubert humphrey follow death republican party minnesota say smith enter office call political baggage dayton administration well well-established track record far-left policies minnesota republicans look forward elect republican u.s. senate 2018 chairwoman jennifer carnahan say statement republican party slim majority u.s. senate affect move replace franken democrats gain seat cut republican majority 100-member senate 51 tuesday night victory doug jones republican candidate roy moore special election alabama minnesota lieutenant governor replace franken senate