In response to the advisory opinion issued by the attorney general’s office regarding the succession to lieutenant governor, Senate Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) issued the following statement:

“We just received the opinion of Solicitor General Gilbert, and it’s just that – an opinion. Based on the opinion of our nonpartisan Senate counsel, Senator Fischbach will retain her Senate seat while she temporarily serves as acting lieutenant governor. As the attorney general’s own website states, ‘[her] opinions do not generally have legally binding effect as would a court decision…’

“I have every confidence Senator Fischbach will continue to be an effective public servant for her constituents in her roles as a state senator for District 13 and acting lieutenant governor of Minnesota.”