Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has won Minnesota’s governor’s race, defeating Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth. “It is time to move this state forward,” Klobuchar said in her victory remarks. “I’m not interested in moving Minnesota to the left or the right. I want to move us forward.” Klobuchar will become the first woman to serve as governor in Minnesota history, succeeding Governor Tim Walz. Her election also means Minnesota will have an opening in the U.S. Senate. Klobuchar has served in the Senate since 2007 and is currently the ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Her departure will create a leadership vacancy on the committee as Congress continues work on a new farm bill and year round E15 legislation. Under Minnesota law, the governor can appoint a replacement to serve until a special election.
