Dayton asks Pawlenty roads chief Sorel to stay on

Tom Sorel
Minnesota's Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel, in his office at MnDOT headquarters in St. Paul.
MPR photo/Tom Weber

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 (MOHL'-now) 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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