GOP leaders split on Koch resignation
GOP state Senate leaders appear split on whether Majority Leader Amy Koch should resign from the Senate.
Koch said last Thursday she was stepping down as majority leader but would serve out her term as senator. Then on Friday Republican leaders revealed they had confronted Koch with allegations she was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a male Senate staffer.
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dave Thompson of Lakeville, who is considered a likely candidate for the majority leader position, said it may be hard for Koch to remain in the Senate.
"I would certainly say that if the allegations are true, if it were me I would leave the Senate," Thompson said. "I don't know all the facts and therefore can't really say what she should do. I think if the allegations are true, I think it would be very difficult to remain an elected official."
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Koch did not immediately respond to calls for comment from MPR News.
Dave Senjem, another assistant majority leader of Rochester, said he doesn't want Koch to resign.
"I hope she considers staying on," he said. "You know there were certainly some issues that arose the last week or so but certainly on balance and over time she's done a great job and I would encourage her frankly to stay on."
Senjem said he is getting a lot of calls urging him to run for majority leader and he is considering doing so.
Assistant majority leader David Hann of Eden Prairie told KSTP-TV Sunday that he'd be thinking about resigning.
"I would just say that if I were in that position I would strongly consider leaving the Senate, but she has to make that decision and do what's best for her and her family going forward," Hann said on KSTP-TV.
Hann wouldn't say if he was considering a run for majority leader, but said people had asked him to consider the position. Also this morning, Interim GOP Leader Geoff Michel told WCCO he hadn't ruled out a run for a permanent position as majority leader.
Republicans plan to choose a new majority leader within two weeks.
EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Koch said she would step down as majority leader last Wednesday. The current version is correct.