Dayton to appoint Pogemiller to run Office of Higher Education

Posted at 11:00 PM on October 27, 2011 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton

Three people with knowledge of the hire say Dayton is appointing Sen. Larry Pogemiller to run the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. The people asked not to be identified because they didn't want to step on Dayton's announcement. Dayton's spokesman, Bob Hume, wouldn't confirm the hire but said they will have an announcement on that position Friday morning.

Pogemiller has served in the Minnesota Legislature since 1980. He has held several key positions of power in the Senate including Majority Leader, Education Committee Chair and Tax Committee Chair. He could not be reached for comment about the appointment.

Pogemiller will replace Sheila Wright who resigned her position in September. The office provides students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to a post-secondary education.

Pogemiller's appointment means Senate Democrats have lost three long time members in the last six months. Sen. Linda Berglin retired in August to take a job with Hennepin County. Sen. Linda Scheid died in June after battling ovarian cancer for several years.

Dayton will have to call a special election to fill Pogemiller's seat.

Comments (4)

Knock the wind out of me, why don't cha?

I never expected this, but I can sure understand why: A Republican held Legislature is a horrible place to be for any thinking person.

Posted by Bill Kahn | October 28, 2011 6:36 AM

Interesting. Pogemiller has apparently joined the ranks of Cher and Madonna, only in reverse. They don't need last names, and Pogemiller apparently doesn't need a first name - at least not in this article.

Posted by Barry Dahl | October 28, 2011 9:52 AM

Larry's service to the state of Minnesota is an example to us all. He will make a great head of Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Good luck Pogie!

Posted by Ja Stoddart | October 28, 2011 10:36 AM

If you have a Blue Book from the '80s handy, check out his hair back then.

Posted by Chris | October 28, 2011 1:04 PM

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