Gov. Mark Dayton Tuesday morning sent out the official notice that state Rep. Tony Sertich is his pick to head up the Iron Range resources and Rehabilitation Board.
In the news release, Dayton's office notes that Sertich is a fourth generation Iron Ranger. The office also said that the governor would call a special election for next month, with a primary on Feb. 1 and a general election on Feb. 15, giving Rangers just about two weeks to scramble to fill the seat.
Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, was first elected to the House a decade ago and rose to become the majority leader. As the leader, worked closely with former Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and supported her run for governor. Dayton beat Kelliher in an August primary last year.
"I have great confidence that Rep. Sertich will be an outstanding Commissioner of the IRRRB, and will provide the strong leadership that the agency needs to fulfill its important mission to the people on the Iron Range," Dayton said in Tuesday morning's release. "He will have my full support and active involvement in searching for every possible new business and new job for the Range."
Sertich, who will hold an 11 a.m. news conference in his hometown Tuesday, said "there is nothing more important to me than seeing my home region's economy strengthened, and that it provide more opportunities now and for future generations."
