question, since al fell on his sword, who would replace him?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. The governor is appointing the lieutenant governor to keep the seat warm

until the special election that will occur in 2018 (Franken wouldn't have had to run until 2020). That person does not intend to run again; she's just filling the position. In the meantime someone, more likely several someones, are likely to run in a primary for the 2018 election; under the circumstances that person is likely to be a woman. I'm guessing it might be Betty McCollum, the congresswoman who represents the district that includes St. Paul, or Lori Swanson, the state Attorney General, who has been a very strong and successful advocate for consumers. Keith Ellison, who represents CD5 (Minneapolis), has also been mentioned, but I don't know how well he'd do with the more conservative voters Up North.

Whoever runs in the special election in 2018 will have the advantage of Amy Klobuchar's coattails, as she will be running for her own seat at the same time. I consider Klobuchar to be a bit too wishy-washy, but she is quite popular throughout the state and is very likely to win re-election - so her presence in the same election is likely to be quite helpful. The GOP opponent might be that snake and Karl Rove buddy Norm Coleman, and he fights dirty, so it will be really important to put up a solid candidate.