Dayton taps chief of staff as running mate

Governor Dayton has chosen long-time chief of staff Tina Smith as his lieutenant governor running mate in his bid for a second term.

Dayton also announced that beginning next Tuesday, Jaime Tincher will serve as his new Chief of Staff. She currently serves as his Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs. Smith will continue serving as chair of the DMCC Board. She was appointed by Dayton and elected to the leadership position by the other board members,

Dayton has also cancelled his scheduled hip surgery at Mayo Clinic this Thursday so he can attend Joan Mondale’s funeral Saturday in Minneapolis. The wife of former Vice President Walter Mondale died yesterday.