A Minnesota Senate committee Thursday voted to move the governor's pick to head up the Public Utilities Commission to the floor without recommendation.

The vote on former Sen. Ellen Anderson, a longtime DFLer from St. Paul, fell along party lines with Republicans, who control the committee voting against her. Anderson chaired the predecessor to the committee that declined to recommend her Thursday.

During the tense, two-hour committee hearing, Republican Senators referred back to her actions in the Senate and some of the positions she took.

"I've got a file folder of emails from people in my area that are concerned about your position when it comes to renewables and the fear that they have on getting a fair shake and the personal biases that may come into that," said Sen. John Howe, R-Red Wing.

"I need you to make me feel comfortable that the personal biases and the record that you have in favor of renewables and certain standards is not going to be carried through into this role," he said.

Anderson told the committee that she would base her decisions at the commission on the law, not on her own opinions. She was an ardent environmentalist and opponent of nuclear energy in the Senate.

Ellen Anderson/source: Public Utilities Commission

"I will have an open mind and I will follow the policies that are set by the state of Minnesota. And that means by you and your colleagues here at the Legislature and the governor," Anderson said.

She cited cases of other lawmakers who went on to appointments who were able to set their personal views aside to do their jobs. "I promise to be open minded and to do my job the way that you expect me to do it."

The matter will next go to the full Senate for a vote. The timing of that vote is undecided.

Governor's picks can serve in their jobs without being confirmed but must leave if the full Senate votes against their confirmation. At times, committees have voted against confirmation but the full Senate has not taken up the issues, which let the appointees stay in their jobs.

You can see the history of commissioner appointments here.