Dayton Adds New Top Aide To Minn. Staff

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A new senior staff member will join the Minnesota governor's office after her current boss, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, completes his final term.

A memo sent to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's staff says Jennifer O'Rourke will begin in early January as a deputy chief of staff to Dayton. She'll be one of four aides with that title.

O'Rourke has been chief of staff to Rybak, who is leaving office after three terms. O'Rourke earlier was a lobbyist for the League of Minnesota Cities. She is married to Ken Martin, the chairman of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party.

She will be paid $109,286.

Dayton is entering the final year of his term and plans to seek re-election in 2014.

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