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Gov. Hires Director For Office He Wanted To Close

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton has hired his campaign finance manager to head the state trade office, which he once talked about closing.

Dayton appointed Katie Clark to run the Minnesota Trade Office. She has worked for the Target Corp. and National Wind, a wind energy developer. Some Republicans are questioning the hire because the Democratic governor repeatedly called for eliminating the office while he was campaigning.

Dayton tells Minnesota Public Radio News he had concerns about how the office has languished over the past decade. Dayton says Clark will improve the trade office and that closing it isn't a top priority right now.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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