ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former House Majority Leader Tony Sertich has gained a spot on the commission overseeing construction of the new $1 billion Vikings stadium in Minneapolis.

Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday picked Sertich to replace Duane Benson, who resigned after clashing with Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen.

Sertich fills a seat on the five-member panel reserved for a rural resident. The Democrat served in the Legislature for more than a decade and was later put in charge of an Iron Range development agency. Since January, Sertich has been president of the Northland Foundation.

The fixed-roof stadium, paid for partly with public tax dollars, is due to open in time for the 2016 football season.

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