Minnesota Governor Taps Independent for Senate Seat

The appointment may have major implications for the “lame-duck” session of Congress that will convenes after the election. With Barkley’s appointment, the senate now has 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and two independents. One of the independents, James Jeffords of Vermont, votes with the Democratic caucus.

If Barkley chooses to back the Republican leadership, the power of the majority would shift to current Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.). In his brief appearance before reporters, Barkley said he had not decided which party he would support.

The Independence Party member did say he would seek out the counsel of Sen. Jim Jeffords, the Vermont Republican whose switch to independent status gave control of the Senate to the Democrats.

“He was a moderate Republican spurned by his own party,” Barkley said. “I can get along with moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans.”

The seat became open after Sen. Wellstone, a Democrat, died in a plane crash nine days before the election. Within days of his death, Minnesota’s Democratic party replaced Wellstone’s name with that of former Vice President Walter Mondale on the Nov. 5 ballot.

State officials aren’t sure how long Barkley’s term of service will last. Some have said he will only serve until the Nov. 5 election results are certified, while others have said he will remain in office until January, when the winner of the election is sworn in. The Associated Press reported that the governor’s and attorney general’s offices are reviewing laws related to the issue.

Ventura’s announcement coincided with the only scheduled debate between Coleman and Mondale. Ventura has stated his displeasure with the decision to exclude Independence Party senatorial candidate Jim Moore from Monday’s debate.

The governor berated the Democrats, Republicans and the media for ignoring third parties and “conspiring to limit the hard-earned rights of ordinary citizens.” Ventura said that, under Minnesota law, the Independence Party has qualified as a “major party,” but has been ignored by the political establishment.

For his part, Barkley said he would only do “what’s best for Minnesota” during his short period in the Senate, whether it be “two weeks or two months.”

Barkley was a key original member of Minnesota’s Reform Party, which later became the Independence Party. He was appointed director of Minnesota planning by Ventura in January 1999. He ran for the U.S. House in 1992 and the U.S. Senate in 1994 and 1996. Before his appointment to Minnesota planning, Barkley practiced law in Lorreto, Minnesota.

Ventura originally said he would prefer to appoint a Democrat to fill Wellstone’s term, but became angry when a memorial service for Wellstone last week took on political tones. Ventura said he felt Democrats at the service disrespected Republicans and independents who were present.