ST. PAUL, MN – Earlier this week, Governor Mark Dayton
announced that he will appoint Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith to serve as United States Senator for Minnesota. Since Governor Dayton made the announcement, Minnesotans have praised the decision [
click here for previous statements], citing Tina’s experience and values. Today, more Minnesotans expressed their support for the appointment of Tina Smith to the United States Senate. Here is what they had to say.
“Tina Smith visited International Falls almost immediately after becoming Lt. Governor. Since then she’s been a champion for the Falls International Airport and other investments that help regional centers like International Falls. Tina will be the same committed advocate for borderland communities in Washington as a member of the Senate as she was in St. Paul as Lt. Governor. I look forward to a continued partnership with her.”
– Bob Anderson, Mayor, City of International Falls
“Tina Smith has been a tremendous advocate for Rochester and southeast Minnesota, both as Lt. Governor and as Chair of the Destination Medical Center Board. Tina will provide a powerful voice for Minnesotans in Washington. I look forward to continued collaboration with her as she takes on this new role. I will miss her as a leader and a dear friend.”
– Ardell Brede, Mayor, City of Rochester
“As Lt. Governor, Tina Smith was integral in finally securing funding for the $43 million rail underpass at Main Avenue and 20th/21st Street South. I am confident that Tina will continue to be a steadfast advocate for the interests of Moorhead and Minnesota as a member of the United States Senate.”
– Del Rae Williams, Mayor, City of Moorhead
“Lt. Governor Tina Smith has been a champion for investments in local government aid, broadband internet, and rural transportation and wastewater infrastructure – all of which are essential to the continued prosperity of Minnesota’s rural communities. We know Tina will continue to be an advocate for issues that matter to our communities. We look forward to collaborating with her.”
– Dave Smiglewski, Mayor, City of Granite Falls
“Tina Smith is a tremendous leader for Minnesota. As Lt. Governor, she has been a tireless advocate for Greater Minnesota economic development – leading the way on issues from rural high-speed internet to property tax relief. Tina will make an excellent United States Senator for Minnesota.”
– Tony Sertich, former Minnesota House Majority Leader and IRRRB Commissioner
“The 22,000 members of the Minnesota Nurses Association congratulate Tina Smith on her appointment to represent our state in the US Senate. Nurses also applaud the Lieutenant Governor for her dedication to patients across the state, women's health, and working families. We are honored that she has given her service to Minnesota and has chosen to continue to serve by running for the U.S. Senate in 2018. Minnesota's patients can count on her to work for them to afford quality healthcare, and working families know she will stand by them and their future success.”
– Mary C. Turner, President, Minnesota Nurses Association
“As Lt. Governor, Tina Smith worked with Governor Dayton to invest in working families, not just the privileged few. Tina understands the importance of good schools, quality health care and modern roads and bridges. In the Senate, Tina will continue this work – to expand economic opportunity for all Minnesotans, no matter where they live.”
– Chet Jorgenson, Statewide President, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
“Lt. Governor Tina Smith knows that clean energy is good for business. She has worked to grow Minnesota’s clean energy economy and create renewable energy business opportunities across the state. We are confident that Tina will continue to be a strong advocate for clean energy businesses and jobs as a member of the United States Senate. We look forward to working with her to advance the market for clean energy innovation.”
– Gregg Mast, Executive Director, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota
“Minnesotans will be well served when Lt. Governor Tina Smith moves into her new role as our U.S. Senator. Tina has been a champion for the Building Trades Community here in our State, and will continue as that message is delivered to a larger national audience. Thumbs up to Governor Dayton; a great pick.”
– Craig Olson, Secretary-Treasurer, Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council
“Tina Smith has been a champion for commonsense ways to expand quality, affordable health care access. As Lt. Governor, Tina has traveled the state advocating for reforms to ensure all Minnesotans can afford the care they need, not just the wealthy few. Tina will continue to be the champion Minnesotans need as member of the Senate. We look forward to working with her to ensure all Minnesotans get the care they need.”
– Jamie Gulley, President, SEIU Healthcare
“During her tenure as Lt. Governor, Tina Smith earned a special place in our hearts and within our network of collaborators. Tina is a frequent visitor to our beloved Zenith City. Consequently, we have come to know and appreciate her. She is an unwavering advocate for bringing investment, jobs and opportunities to our region. We believe that she truly cares for us and cares about us. Tina has been our go-to-person. She took the time to listen to our issues, our requests and our concerns. We know and trust her. While we will desperately miss having her serve as our Lt. Governor; we are delighted to have her working on our behalf as our next Great Senator from the Great State of Minnesota.”
– David Ross, President and CEO, Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce
“This is an outstanding selection. The lieutenant governor is a great advocate for working families no matter the sector: steel, mining, health care, you name it. She supports health care workers’ efforts to establish safe staffing levels in long term care facilities as well as in clinics and hospitals. In addition, Smith has worked hard to support fair trade policies in the steel industry and for safer conditions in the mining industry. She has also been at the front lines in supporting workers’ retraining initiatives to meet the future needs of advanced manufacturing in our state.”
– Emil Ramirez, District 11 Director, United Steelworkers Union
“Tina Smith in the United States Senate is good news for working Minnesotans.
“For the last seven years, Tina Smith has been Governor Dayton’s partner in building a better Minnesota. Be it raising the minimum wage, strengthening our state’s infrastructure, or expanding working people’s freedom to join together in union, Lt. Governor Smith has been there to help get key legislation across the finish line. She’s has been a leader on reducing healthcare costs and combating Minnesota’s opioid crisis; expertise that she will carry to the Senate.
“Minnesota’s Labor Movement offers our congratulations to Lt. Governor Smith and stands ready to assist her as she transitions to her new role representing Minnesotans in Washington.”
– Bill McCarthy, Minnesota AFL-CIO President
