Minnesota Senate ousts Commissioner of Labor and Industry Leppink

Nancy Leppink
Photo credit Getty Images/MediaNews Group/St. Paul Pioneer Press via Getty Images/Contributor

For the first time since 2008, the Minnesota Senate has ousted a state commissioner.  The Republican-controlled Senate Wednesday voted against the confirmation of Nancy Leppink, who was appointed Commissioner of Labor and Industry in February of 2019.  The move was called an ambush by Senate Democrats and led to this exchange between Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent and Majority Leader Paul Gazelka.

"Senator Gazelka, I'm gonna ask a direct question. Hopefully, I will get a direct and honest answer. Will we take up any other confirmations today or before we adjourn sine die," said Kent. 

"Mr President, Senator Kent, you can always expect a direct and honest answer. And no, this will be the last business today," Gazelka responded. 

"I've always thought I could take Senator Gazelka at his word. And now, in the past 24 hours, I'm afraid I, I don't believe I could do that anymore," retorted Kent. 

The DFL Party of Minnesota responded to the ouster today by saying that it will jeopardize Minnesotans. 

“Senate Republicans are once again jeopardizing the health and safety of Minnesotans by playing politics during the middle of a pandemic. Minnesota is faced with the extremely difficult task of getting folks safely back to work as quickly as possible, and Senate Republicans' surprise decision to fire our state’s Labor and Industry Commissioner will make that so much harder.

“Now more than ever, we need strong voices for the health and safety of working people at the decision-making table. Unfortunately, Republicans fired one of the best advocates for the well-being of working Minnesotans out there. This desperate ambush shows that Republicans would rather score political points than help Minnesotans stay safe and recover from the impact of COVID-19.”

Senate Majority Leader Gazelka responded with this statement.

“We need a DLI commissioner whose priority is being responsive, supportive, and open to helping business, and not one who is interested in regulating, harassing, or closing businesses—especially as we plan safe reopenings during COVID.”

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison wasn't happy about Leppink's ouster. 

“The Minnesota Senate majority today voted to oust Commissioner Nancy Leppink, a champion of workers and their safety. Even as COVID-19 cases are spiking, the Senate majority wants to put an end to the Governor’s emergency powers to protect Minnesotans during the pandemic and keep us safe from the spread of COVID-19. They used a champion for Minnesota workers, who has used all the powers available to her to protect them and their families from this deadly virus, as their collateral in doing so. They’ve thrown Nancy Leppink out of her job for protecting Minnesotans’ lives.

“My office will continue to use all the powers available to us to protect Minnesota workers and their families from COVID-19 — now more than ever. We will continue to use all our power to help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity and respect — now more than ever.”

Gazelka says Republicans had been telling Governor Walz for months that Leppink wasn't the right fit for the job, but that the pandemic and then the rioting following the death of George Floyd delayed action on it.