Possible good appointments, Kieth Ellison, Ilhen Omar, Betty McCollum, come to mind. Each would be good re the Boundary Waters and mining, and each would be a progressive upgrade. More specifically, should Doug Chapin lose in MN6 to Emmer reelected, he'd be the ideal candidate, already willing to serve in DC, and not vacating any other office to chance. He's choice one, unless he unseats Emmer.
Who not to appoint? Angie Craig. She is too much like Amy in being a very conservative Democrat, and she's taken AIPAC money, as has Amy and Emmer, and it would look too much like Amy appointimg a clone.
Chapin would be an excellent alternative to Craig, where everybody in the DFL will be thinking "It's Angie's turn," which is too akin to how Trump won his first term. Defective thought.
It's nobody's"turn" and the choice should be based entirely upon best and most likely to excel, with the DFL committed at least in words, to gender balance in the ranks and the offices.
Yes, Angie may have her expectations. But nobody should expect iron-clad guarantees. They are not best.
And Amy will win. However conservative she is, she will win. Progressives will bite the bullet and vote for her, because they have no option. Amy, has an option. and it should be Doug Chapin. Unless * * *
UPDATE: In terms of no choice for progressives but Amy, it is noteworthy that neither Tafoya nor Demuth will even admit that Biden won in 2020. That reminder of how backward the Republican candidates are has to be made. Neither of those two is pressing for the Renee and Alex murders to be prosecuted. Neither speaks to the War. Trump's inflation. They are pathetic.