Dayton Announces Running Mate
Tuesday, February 4, 2014 - 10:23am
AP
ST. PAUL - Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is turning to a trusted adviser to be his running mate as he seeks a second term.Dayton has chosen Tina Flint Smith, his chief aide since he took office in 2011, to replace Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon.
Prettner Solon didn't want to serve a second term.
Both Dayton and Smith call Minneapolis home, so the pick goes against the tradition of having a geographically balanced ticket.
Before serving Dayton, Smith was chief of staff for then-Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.
Smith is deeply rooted in Minnesota politics, counting Walter Mondale among her past bosses.
She also served as a top official for the regional Planned Parenthood operation.