Carol Molnau was axed today by the Minnesota Senate, which voted 44-22 not to reconfirm her as MnDOT commissioner.

According to the Senate Web site [1], Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) said that “these two full-time jobs are too much for anyone to be able to discharge appropriately.”

Several Republicans came to Molnau's defense, including David Hann, of Eden Prairie, who said he hadn't heard a good reason to remove Molnau.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty issued this statement: “Over the past five years, under Lt. Governor Molnau’s leadership, MnDOT has completed more road and bridge projects than in any other comparable period in the state’s history. We accelerated a number of major projects around the state, from the expansion of I-494 to Highway 14 to Highway 53 and many in between. 

“The DFL’s decision to remove the lieutenant governor from her post at MnDOT is disappointing.  It also shows they’re more interested in partisanship than working together on the important issues facing our state.”

Molnau, a former local farmer and Chaska city councilor [2], remains as lieutenant governor.

Pawlenty today appointed Bob McFarlin as acting commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Click here [2] to read about Molnau's arm wrestling past.