DFL gubernatorial pick Kelliher plans to stay on as House speaker

By Rachel E. Stassen-Berger Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, the DFL endorsed candidate for governor, said she plans to stay on as speaker during the final weeks of the Minnesota legislative session But Kelliher said Monday morning, barely a day after receiving the DFL endorsement, that she would listen to her colleagues should they decide that it would be better to transition to a new leader. DFL members expect to talk about it over the next couple days, Kelliher said. The legislative session is slated to end by May 17, giving the caucus about three weeks of being led by someone who must balance her legislative duties with running a fiercely competitive statewide race. To change speakers would require a vote of the entire Minnesota House, but the majority would rule, and Democrats have a strong majority. Kelliher became House Minority Leader when Republicans were in charge of the legislative body. She took over after the previous leader, Matt Entenza, was endorsed by the party to run for attorney general. That power switch did not require an official vote from the Minnesota House and Entenza ended up dropping out of the race. Entenza is now running for governor and will challenge Kelliher in a primary. On Monday, Kelliher kicked off a statewide fly-around tour with DFL leaders to celebrate her endorsement victory. Sporting Kelliher buttons, former gubernatorial rivals Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, state Rep. Paul Thissen and state Sen. John Marty joined her at the first stop in Bloomington. Also lending their support: Democratic U.S. Sen. Al Franken; U.S. Reps. Tim Walz, Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar sent a letter expressing her support for Kelliher, as well.