Why would Senator Larson want taxpayers to pay for a special election?

[question everything]

Why not quit now so that his replacement can run in the general elections?

StarTribune.com

http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/24279799.html?location_refer=$urlTrackSectionName

State Sen. Larson says he'll retire day after election

July 9, 2008

Sen. Dan Larson says he will leave the Minnesota Senate after two years of service.

The Bloomington Democrat says his retirement takes effect Nov. 5, the day after the election. That means Gov. Tim Pawlenty will have to call a special election this fall for the seat representing Bloomington, Richfield and Minneapolis -- even though the rest of the Senate isn't up for election until 2010.

In a prepared statement, Larson said that he wants to get back into the private sector and that he has accepted a job with a Minneapolis law firm.

He has spent 10 years in the Legislature, including four terms in the House before he switched to the Senate.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

© 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

[trotsky]

1. Because his term isn't up until 2010.

Quitting anytime between now and then requires a special election.

[question everything]

3. But can't you schedule the special election to the same day as the general ones?

You can save on keeping the polling places open and the monitors?

[trotsky]

4. No idea, but I suspect there are other details here that the Strib declined to include.

It may be that MN election law requires special elections to be separate from regular ones. I just find it hard to believe that a long-time legislator would do this just to piss someone off, or purposely cost taxpayers more money.

[dflprincess]

2. I suppose this gives the district time to find a good candidate

Given the make up of the district, I'd expect it to stay in DFL hands. Though I'm wondering about this, something doesn't feel right. Dan has had some health issues a few years ago, I hope that isn't the real reason behind this. He's a good guy.

[trotsky]

5. The mention on the MPR site covers that.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/09/larsonquits/?refid=0

"If you remember in the 2001 session I had a bout with cancer, and a long recovery. And I'm very pleased that none of that has returned. And not at all is this a health-related decision," said Larson.

So that's nice to know.

[dflprincess]

6. Thanks for finding that

I'm sorry to see Dan leave the Senate, but it's good to know it's not for health reasons.

[MnFats]

8. he says he's fine, dfl. seventh annual cancer-free checkup recently.

there is an arcane explanation for this and it's good for the DFL.
let me find my notes and get back....

[dflprincess]

9. Can't wait to hear more!

:popcorn:

[MnFats]

11. Pawlenty has set the special election for nov. 4 -- same as general election...

also nov. 4 special election in District 16, where a vacancy was created by the resignation of Senator Betsy L. Wergin, who Governor Pawlenty appointed to the Public Utilities Commission.
don't know much about that(16) but at least three DFLers are interested in running in 63.
more later

[ISUGRADIA]

7. It's too late for him to resign now and have the election be on the

general election ballot as it is about 120 days out:


204D.19 SPECIAL ELECTIONS; WHEN HELD.
Subdivision 1. Vacancy filled at general election. When a vacancy occurs more than 150
days before the next state general election, and the Congress or the legislature will not be in
session before the final canvass of the state general election returns, the vacancy shall be filled at
the next state general election.

Subd. 2. Special election when the Congress or legislature will be in session. Except
for vacancies in the legislature which occur at any time between the last day of session in
an odd-numbered year and the 33rd day prior to the opening day of session in the succeeding
even-numbered year, when a vacancy occurs and the Congress or legislature will be in session so
that the individual elected as provided by this section could take office and exercise the duties of
the office immediately upon election, the governor shall issue within five days after the vacancy
occurs a writ calling for a special election. The special election shall be held as soon as possible,
consistent with the notice requirements of section 204D.22, subdivision 3, but in no event more
than 28 days after the issuance of the writ.

Subd. 3. Special election at other times. When a vacancy occurs at a time other than those
described in subdivisions 1 and 2 the governor shall issue a writ, calling for a special election
to be held so that the individual elected may take office at the opening of the next session of
the Congress or of the legislature, or at the reconvening of a session of the Congress or of the
legislature.

[question everything]

10. Thank you. Still it would have been nice for him to resign 30 days earlier

no doubt, he has thought about it for a long time.

My baggage, I suppose. When I lived in California in the 90s, a state senator ran for county supervisor and won. Thus, we had a special election to fill her seat. The winner was a member of the assembly meaning - another special election to fill his seat. The winner was a council member and I think that his replacement was appointed. All this, while the county declared bankruptcy.

This is how I started by political involvement. All were Republicans so I contacted the Democrat and distributed flyers in my neighborhood.

This has been a (naive, I now know) pet peeve of mine, that politicians do not vacate their seats when they run for a higher office. John Edwards has been a shining exception when, in 2004, he said he was not going to run for his senate seat - regardless of the outcome - and his replacement was elected during the general elections.

The reality is that candidates rely on incumbency, often starting from school boards. If Madia will win the 3rd District it will be a fresh air, too.