MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A special election will be held in about 10 weeks to fill the state Senate seat vacated when Larry Pogemiller agreed this week to take a position in the governor’s cabinet.

Gov. Mark Dayton says the election for the Senate District 59 seat will be Jan. 10. If a primary is necessary, it will be held Dec. 6.

Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions must be filed between Monday and the end of the business day Wednesday.

Pogemiller is leaving his Senate seat effective Nov. 7. The Democrat has spent 30 years in the Legislature, including four years as the Senate majority leader.

He’s taking the top job at the Office of Higher Education. The agency administers state financial-aid programs and provides research on college enrollment, finance and trends.

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