It's similar to what happened in Missouri with Mel Carnahan, except he was just a candidate, not the Senator.

I don't know what Minnesota law is in comparison, but I'd guess he stays on the ballot, and if he wins, then Ventura will appoint another Senator (presumably a Democrat, though there's no requirement for that). In theory, Ventura could appoint a replacement before the election, but I doubt if he'd bother, since it might become moot if the Republican wins. Whoever he appointed would only be Senator until January in that case.

On the other hand, it might be good for him to make the appointment now, because that would make the upcoming election a special election, in which case the Republican would take office on election day, just as Talent will in Missouri if he wins.

On the other other hand, maybe Ventura has to appoint someone ASAP, to fill the seat and maintain Minnesota's representation in the Senate, particularly since they're going to have to go back into session after the election for unfinished business.

My fear is that this is bad news for the Republicans, because the people of Minnesota might actually be more inclined to vote for a generic Democrat than they were for Wellstone.

[Updated thought, a few minutes later]

Will Ventura appoint himself?

[Another update at 2 PM PDT]

Now the rumor is that Mondale is in the running to replace Wellstone on the ballot. Like New Jersey, they're replacing another non-viable candidate with a geezer.

As one wag on Free Republic put it, they're passing the torch on to an old generation...

Here is the Minnesota Statute:

M.S.A. § 204B.13

Subd. 2. Partisan office; nomination by party. (a) A vacancy in nomination for partisan office shall be filled as provided in this subdivision. A major political party has the authority to fill a vacancy in nomination of that party's candidate by filing a nomination certificate with the same official who received the affidavits of candidacy for that office.
(b) A major political party may provide in its governing rules a procedure, including designation of an appropriate committee, to fill vacancies in nomination for all offices elected statewide. The nomination certificate shall be prepared under the direction of and executed by the chair and secretary of the political party and filed within seven days after the vacancy in nomination occurs or before the 14th day before the general election, whichever is sooner. If the vacancy in nomination occurs through the candidate's death or catastrophic illness, the nomination certificate must be filed within seven days after the vacancy in nomination occurs but no later than four days before the general election. The chair and secretary when filing the certificate shall attach an affidavit stating that the newly nominated candidate has been selected under the rules of the party and that the individuals signing the certificate and making the affidavit are the chair and secretary of the party.

>[Updated thought, a few minutes later]
>
>Will Ventura appoint himself?

I'm not claiming to be the sharpest knife in the drawer but that was going through my mind as I read your post!

" At a news conference Friday afternoon, Ventura, a political independent, declined to say whether he would appoint another senator or who it would be, other than to say he would not appoint himself. "

A Minnesota governor tried appointing himself in 1976... actually, he resigned and had his old Lieutenant-Governor, now Governor, appoint him as Senaator.
He had to face the voters in two years, as did the new governor. Also, Hubert Humphrey had died, so the other US Senate seat was up for election. In the "Minnesota Massacre," the Republicans took both US Senate seats, the governorship, and control of the Minnesota State Senate. The voters REALLY didn't like the "self-appointing."

Based on the Minnesota law links I've seen, the winner of the election will take office immediately, so if Ventura appoints someone, they will server for about ten days (assuming the Senate is even in session). In any case, CNN had a clip where he stated that one thing he will not do is appoint himself to any position.

Coupled with Missouri, this means that now the Republicans have two chances to retake the Senate immediately, and even a possibility to take it outright (not needing the VP's tiebeaker) if they win both. (Then again, I could see the Stupid Party losing seats elsewhere so they hand it right to the Corruption Party come Janaury 3rd.)