The transition team for Governor-elect Amy Klobuchar will include several high-profile figures from Minnesota's political and business landscapes. Among the announced members are former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, former Ecolab president Doug Baker, former judge Lucinda Jesson, and MayKao Hang, a dean at the University of St. Thomas. This group was revealed shortly after Klobuchar secured her victory in the gubernatorial election held on Tuesday.
Klobuchar defeated Republican nominee Lisa Demuth with 55% of the vote compared to Demuth's 43%. The Democratic ticket also featured former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer, who was elected as lieutenant governor. On Wednesday, the governor-elect moved quickly to announce the team that will assist in selecting cabinet members and other state leadership positions. She also launched a new website, GovKlobuchar.com, to allow state residents to apply for roles within her administration.
In a written statement, Klobuchar outlined her initial priorities for the new administration. She emphasized the need to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse by launching a comprehensive audit of state government starting on her first day in office. Additionally, she pledged to reduce bureaucratic hurdles to make government operations more effective and accountable. Her economic agenda focuses on growth, while her social policies aim to improve affordability in key areas such as health care, housing, and child care.
Klobuchar stated that her goal is not to shift the state's political ideology to the left or right, but rather to move Minnesota forward. She argued that residents deserve a government that matches their ambition, supports an expanding economy, and provides an affordable quality of life. The transition team will play a crucial role in implementing these objectives during the handover period.
Lucinda Jesson, a former commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, will chair the transition team. Jesson has a distinguished legal background, having previously served as a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and as the chief deputy Hennepin County attorney. Her leadership role is expected to provide legal and administrative oversight for the transition process.
Doug Baker, the former chairman and CEO of Ecolab, will serve as a co-chair. Baker is also a member of the Mayo Clinic board of trustees. His extensive experience in business leadership includes service on the executive committees of the Greater MSP Partnership and Minnesota Business Partnership, as well as roles on the Carlson School of Management board and the Dorothy Day Place Capital Campaign.
Other notable members of the team include Justin Buoen, a longtime adviser who managed Klobuchar's 2020 presidential campaign, and Melvin Carter, who served as St. Paul mayor for eight years and on the city council for five years. Sam Clark, the chief deputy county attorney for Ramsey County and a former St. Paul city attorney, is also part of the group.
MayKao Hang, the founding dean of the Morrison Family College of Health at the University of St. Thomas, brings experience from her decade leading the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. Dan McConnell, president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, and Kim Norton, the current mayor of Rochester, round out the list of key members. Norton previously served in the Minnesota House from 2007 to 2017 and on the Rochester School Board.
Additional members include Miguel Alexander Pozo, a trial attorney with nearly 30 years of experience and former national president of the Hispanic National Bar Association. Tony Sertich, president of the Northland Foundation and a former Iron Range state representative, is also involved. Lee Sheehy, the senator's former chief of staff, brings experience from various state and local government roles, including chairing Gov. Mark Dayton's Judicial Selection Commission.
Rose Sullivan, who previously worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget, will join the team after serving as Klobuchar's chief of staff. Scott Vadnais, president of the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters Association, and Gary Wertish, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, represent labor and agricultural interests. Ben Hill will lead communications and serve as the spokesperson, with more senior leaders expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
