Dayton Asks Pawlenty MnDOT Chief To Stay On

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov.-elect Mark Dayton has asked Gov. Tim Pawlenty's top transportation adviser to stay on in his first cabinet-level appointment.

Dayton said Wednesday that he offered the job to Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel immediately because Sorel had another job opportunity.

The incoming governor announced the appointment at a Capitol news conference with Pawlenty.

Sorel has headed the Transportation Department since April 2008, taking over after from Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau after the fatal 2007 Minneapolis bridge collapse. The state Senate rejected Molnau in her second job as roads chief.

Sorel came to the state job from the Federal Highway Administration.

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