DFL Gov. Mark Dayton had lunch with the new Senate Republican leadership team on Tuesday, a first meeting as the two sides prepare for the upcoming legislative session.

Dayton dined at the governor's residence with Senate Majority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester, and several members of the senate leadership team.

Dayton spokeswoman Katharine Tinucci said the unannounced, private meeting was "very cordial" and that the group discussed the local sports scene more than policy issues.

They did discuss ways to build on bipartisan successes in government reform over the last year, Tinucci said.

They briefly discussed the need to build a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, Tinucci said. The Vikings' Metrodome lease has just expired and political leaders are scrambling to build a new, publicly-financed home for the franchise.

The stadium discussion was not detailed, Tinucci said, but both sides acknowledged it would be a long, hard road ahead.

Tinucci said Dayton reminded Senators they are fused politically "and we can make each other look good or we can make each other look bad."

She said the governor is committed to working with the new Senate leadership. "He can work with anybody who is willing to work with him."

Dayton and Senjem had been trying to get together since last week, when Senators picked Senjem as the new majority leader. Senjem tried to go to Dayton's office, but he was in California for his son's wedding.

With the legislative session starting in just three weeks, Dayton is expected to resume weekly meetings with legislative leaders. The upcoming session is likely to be shorter, focusing on government reform, a bonding bill and a new Vikings stadium.