Dayton: Lanning 'extremely well qualified' for stadium job

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton says he hasn't made any decisions yet about appointments to a new stadium commission, but he suggested Thursday that retiring state Rep. Morrie Lanning would be "extremely well qualified."

Dayton's comment came shortly after Lanning announced he was not running for re-election. The Moorhead Republican was the chief House sponsor of the Minnesota Vikings stadium legislation. Dayton praised Lanning for his leadership on the issue during the 2012 session.

"The stadium bill wouldn't have passed without his perseverance and his dedication and his integrity and his ability," he said. "He left a phenomenal legacy from his legislative career for the people of Minnesota for decades to come."

Dayton said he left Lanning a voicemail message Thursday morning. Lanning will retire after five terms in the Minnesota House. He served as chairman of the House State Government Finance Committee.

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