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Gov. Dayton Still Hospitalized 1 Month After Back Surgery

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Complications have kept Governor Mark Dayton at Mayo Clinic longer than expected.

He has been in Rochester for more than a month after having back surgery on Oct. 12. Surgery did not go as planned, and he underwent a second procedure several days later.

In a statement, Dayton said post-surgical complications caused damage to his lungs, and are also affecting his leg strength and balance. He says doctor's orders have kept him hospitalized to work through it.

Still, Dayton says he expects to return to St. Paul in a few days, and he that he looks forward to his final weeks as governor.

This is the third such procedure for 71-year-old Dayton, and this is not his first health scare. He revealed last that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer one day after collapsing during his State of the State address. He is now in remission.

Governor-elect Tim Walz officially takes office on January 7.

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