More than a month after Election Day, on the heels of a fractious recount struggle, Mark Dayton finally became Minnesota's next governor on Wednesday, the first DFLer to claim the office in 20 years.
Dayton immediately signaled that he intends to seek common ground with a Legislature that will be ruled by Republicans when he takes office on Jan. 3. "If we simply disregard and defeat each other's proposals ... we will only cause unwanted gridlock and deadlock," Dayton said.
In a nod to the difficult times ahead, Dayton said that he knew the decisions he must soon make "will not all be popular with all of you."
Dayton's victory speech came within hours of a graceful concession by GOP candidate Tom Emmer, who stood with his family in freezing temperatures outside his Delano home as he officially bowed out.
The three-term state representative pulled the plug Wednesday on a recount in which the numbers had stubbornly remained in Dayton's favor and relinquished any claim to a legal contest. The state Canvassing Board certified an 8,770-vote margin for Dayton on Wednesday.
"Minnesotans made their choice, by however thin a margin, and we respect that choice," Emmer said. "Now is the time for all of us to come together and do what is best for Minnesota. ... And it is our job to make sure he can be the best governor he can possibly be. ... We congratulate him and we offered to help him in any way we can."
Dayton's win continues a political career that started in the 1970s as an aide to then-Vice President Walter Mondale and spanned a stint as state economic development commissioner, state auditor and six years as a U.S. senator. He sought the governorship unsuccessfully in 1998.
Dayton plans to move swiftly on his transition to the State Capitol. He said he will appoint a chief of staff within 48 hours and will announce other hires in the coming days.