View source for Al Franken

{{Short description|American comedian and politician (born 1951)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Al Franken
| image               = Al Franken, official portrait, 114th Congress (cropped).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2015
| jr/sr               = United States Senator
| state               = [[Minnesota]]
| term_start          = July 7, 2009
| term_end            = January 2, 2018{{efn|Franken was elected to the term beginning January 3, 2009, but did not take his seat until July 7, 2009, because of a recount and a subsequent election challenge.}}
| predecessor         = [[Norm Coleman]]
| successor           = [[Tina Smith]]
| birth_name          = Alan Stuart Franken
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1951|5|21}}
| birth_place         = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] ([[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]])
| spouse              = {{marriage|Franni Bryson|1975}}
| children            = 2
| education           = [[Harvard University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| signature           = Al Franken Signature.svg
| module              = {{Listen |embed=yes |filename=Al Franken reads Operation Chickenhawk from his book, Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot, 1996.ogg |title=Franken's voice |type=speech |description=Franken reading "Operation Chickenhawk", a chapter from his book ''[[Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations]]''.}}
}}
'''Alan Stuart Franken''' (born May 21, 1951) is an American politician, comedian, screenwriter, and actor who served from 2009 until his resignation in 2018 as a [[United States senator]] from [[Minnesota]]. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], he worked as an entertainer, appearing on television and in films, before entering politics.

Franken first gained fame as a writer and performer on the [[NBC]] [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', where he worked three stints. He first served as a writer for the show from 1975 to 1980, and returned from 1985 to 1995 as a writer and, briefly, a cast member. After his career in the entertainment industry, Franken became a [[Liberalism in the United States|liberal]] political activist, hosting a radio show and writing satirical books scrutinizing the [[American right]].

Though initially dismissed as a [[novelty candidate]] due to his background in comedy,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-07-14 |title=BPP Newscast |url=https://www.npr.org/2008/07/14/92510174/top-of-the-news |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref> Franken was elected to the [[United States Senate]] in [[2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota|2008]], defeating incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Senator [[Norm Coleman]] by 312 votes out of nearly three million cast (a margin of just over 0.01%) in one of the [[closest elections]] in Senate history. Franken was reelected in [[2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota|2014]] with 53.2% of the vote. In January 2018, he resigned after [[2017–18_United_States_political_sexual_scandals#Al_Franken|allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him]]. He has since said he regrets that decision.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcWSr7E7DJo |title=Al Franken on regretting his resignation |date=2022-02-09 |last=Washington Post Live |access-date=2025-02-13 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

In September 2019, Franken announced he would be hosting ''The Al Franken Show'' on Saturday mornings on [[SiriusXM]] radio.<!-- The article about The Al Franken Show says its final episode was in 2007, which seems to be contradicted here. --> It covers global affairs, politics, and entertainment.<ref>{{cite news |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |url=http://www.startribune.com/al-franken-launches-siriusxm-radio-show/561338692/ |title=Al Franken launches SiriusXM radio show, marking a return to the public sphere |work=[[Star Tribune]] |location=Minneapolis |date=September 25, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925203218/http://www.startribune.com/al-franken-launches-siriusxm-radio-show/561338692/ |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2019 }}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Franken was born in New York City to Joseph Philip Franken, a printing salesman, and Phoebe Geraldine Franken (née Kunst), a real estate agent. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Germany; his maternal grandfather came from [[Grodno]], [[Russian Empire]]; and his maternal grandmother's parents were also from the Russian Empire. Phoebe was from [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wargs.com/other/franken.html |title=Ancestry of Al Franken |publisher=William Addams Reitwiesner |access-date=September 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308160549/http://www.wargs.com/other/franken.html |archive-date=March 8, 2015  }}</ref> Both of his parents were Jews, and Franken was raised in a [[Reform Jewish]] home and attended [[Temple Israel (Minneapolis)|Temple Israel]] in Minneapolis.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/al-franken |title=Al Franken |encyclopedia=Jewish Virtual Library |access-date=February 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210202030/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/al-franken |archive-date=February 10, 2017  }}</ref> He has an older brother, Owen (b. circa 1946), who is a photojournalist,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Mayer|first=Jane|title=The Case of Al Franken|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken|access-date=2022-02-12|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=July 20, 2019|language=en-US}}</ref> and his cousin [[Bob Franken|Bob]] is a journalist for [[MSNBC]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CNN Newsnight Aaron Brown Aired April 29, 2002 – 22:00 ET  |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/asb/date/2002-04-29/segment/00 |publisher=[[CNN]]|date=April 29, 2002 |access-date=November 5, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420184550/http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0204/29/asb.00.html |archive-date=April 20, 2008  }}</ref>

The Frankens moved to [[Albert Lea, Minnesota]], when Al was four years old.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alfranken.com/meet-al/ |title=Meet Al |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712023114/http://www.alfranken.com/meet-al/ |archive-date=July 12, 2013  |access-date=September 18, 2015 }}</ref> His father opened a quilting factory, but it failed after two years. The family then moved to [[St. Louis Park, Minnesota]], a suburb of [[Minneapolis]].<ref name="The New Yorker">{{cite magazine |last=Colapinto |first=John |author-link= John Colapinto |title=Enter Laughing |url=https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/07/20/090720fa_fact_colapinto |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |date=July 20, 2009 |access-date=January 9, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019112307/http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/07/20/090720fa_fact_colapinto |archive-date=October 19, 2012  }}</ref> Franken graduated from [[The Blake School (Minneapolis, Minnesota)|The Blake School]] in 1969, where he was a member of the wrestling team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Liebovich |first=Mark |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/13/magazine/al-franken-faces-donald-trump-and-the-next-four-years.html |title=Al Franken Faces Donald Trump and the Next Four Years |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2016 |quote=At 65, Franken retains the thick build of the high-school wrestler he once was. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213105200/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/13/magazine/al-franken-faces-donald-trump-and-the-next-four-years.html |archive-date=December 13, 2016  }}</ref> He attended [[Harvard College]], where he majored in [[political science]], graduating ''[[cum laude]]'' with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in 1973.<ref name="about.com">{{cite web |url=http://usliberals.about.com/od/senatecandidatesin2008/p/AlFranken.htm |access-date=January 30, 2009 |publisher=About.com |title=Profile of Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota |first=Deborah |last=White |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207163737/http://usliberals.about.com/od/senatecandidatesin2008/p/AlFranken.htm |archive-date=December 7, 2008  }}</ref> As a student, Franken wrote comedy and idolized comedians [[Dick Gregory]] and [[Lenny Bruce]] because they did acts about hypocrisy and corruption while making the audience laugh.<ref name="Sullivan">{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=James |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/05/11/arts/al-franken-is-taking-comedy-seriously-again |title=Al Franken is taking comedy seriously again |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=2022-05-11 |accessdate=2022-05-13 }}</ref>

Franken began performing in high school, where he and his longtime friend and writing partner [[Tom Davis (comedian)|Tom Davis]] were known for their comedy.<ref name="Davis">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/20/arts/television/tom-davis-saturday-night-live-comedy-writer-dies-at-59.html |title=Tom Davis, Comedian and 'SNL' Sketch Writer, Dies at 59 |date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=January 12, 2013 |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Douglas |last=Martin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112154909/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/20/arts/television/tom-davis-saturday-night-live-comedy-writer-dies-at-59.html |archive-date=November 12, 2012  }}</ref> The duo first performed on stage at Minneapolis's [[Brave New Workshop]] theater specializing in [[political satire]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Davis |first=Tom |title=Thirty-Nine Years of Short-Term Memory Loss: The Early Days of SNL from Someone Who Was There |year=2010 |publisher=Grove Press; Reprint edition |isbn=978-0-8021-4456-0 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/thirtynineyearso0000davi/page/29 29] |url=https://archive.org/details/thirtynineyearso0000davi/page/29 }}</ref> They soon found themselves in what was described as "a life of near-total failure on the fringes of show business in Los Angeles".<ref>Hill, Doug; Weingrad, Jeff (1987). ''Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live''. p. 57. [[Vintage Books]]. {{ISBN|0-394-75053-5}}.</ref>

== ''Saturday Night Live'' ==
[[File:Al Franken at Ramstein Air Force Base, Dec 2000.jpg|thumb|right|Franken entertaining troops at [[Ramstein Air Base]] in December 2000]]
Franken and Tom Davis were recruited as two of the original writers and occasional performers on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (''SNL'') (1975–1980, 1985–1995). In ''SNL''{{'}}s first season, the two apprentice writers shared a salary of $350 per week.<ref name="Davis" /> Franken received 15 [[Emmy Award|Emmy nominations]] and five Emmy awards for his television writing and producing,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Al Franken|url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/al-franken|access-date=2021-10-27|website=Television Academy|language=en|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027060029/https://www.emmys.com/bios/al-franken|url-status=live}}</ref> while creating such characters as [[self-help]] guru [[Stuart Smalley]]. Another routine proclaimed the 1980s the ''Al Franken Decade''.<ref name="Call Me Senator">{{cite news |url=http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/03/you-can-call-me-senator |title=Al Franken: You Can Call Me Senator |work=[[Harvard Magazine]] |first=Jesse |last=Kornbluth |date=March–April 2012 |access-date=September 26, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926080350/http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/03/you-can-call-me-senator |archive-date=September 26, 2012  }}</ref> Franken and Davis wrote the script of the 1986 comedy film ''[[One More Saturday Night (film)|One More Saturday Night]]'', appearing in it as rock singers in a band called Bad Mouth. They also had minor roles in ''[[All You Need Is Cash]]'' and the film ''[[Trading Places]]'', starring [[Eddie Murphy]] and [[Dan Aykroyd]]. In the early 80s, Franken, Davis, and [[Jim Downey (comedian)|Jim Downey]] wrote a feature film parody of ''[[1984 (novel)|1984]]'' called ''1985'' for Lorne Michaels to produce under his deal with [[MGM]], but the movie was deemed too expensive and never produced.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Preven |first1=Joshua S. |date=July 1992 |title=The History of Humor at Harvard |url=https://harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/media/How-Harvard-Changed-Comedy.pdf#page=15 |magazine=[[Harvard Magazine]] |page=15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906084450/https://harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/media/How-Harvard-Changed-Comedy.pdf |archive-date=6 September 2020 |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Morrison |first=Susan |title=Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live |date=Feb 2025 |publisher= |isbn=|edition=1st|language=en }}</ref>

On ''[[Weekend Update]]'' near the end of [[Saturday Night Live (season 5)|season 5]], Franken delivered a commentary called "[[A Limo for a Lame-O]]". He mocked controversial [[NBC]] president [[Fred Silverman]] as "a total unequivocal failure" and displayed a chart showing the poor ratings of NBC programs. As a result of this sketch, Silverman declined [[Lorne Michaels]]'s recommendation for Franken to succeed him as the producer, and Franken left the show when Michaels did, at the end of the 1979–1980 season.<ref>[[Tom Shales|Shales, Tom]] (2003). ''Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told by Its Stars, Writers and Guests''. p. 191. [[Little, Brown and Company|Back Bay Books]]. {{ISBN|0-316-73565-5}}.</ref> Franken [[Saturday Night Live season 11|returned to the show in 1985]] as a writer and occasional performer. He has acknowledged using [[cocaine]] and other illegal drugs while working in television and stated that he stopped after [[John Belushi]] died of an overdose.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Ana Marie |last=Cox |title=Don't Laugh at Al Franken |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=April 5, 2007 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1607252,00.html |access-date=August 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070919191241/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1607252%2C00.html |archive-date=September 19, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Westfall |first=Sandra Sobieraj |date=May 26, 2017 |title=Al Franken Says John Belushi's Fatal Overdose Inspired Him to Give Up Drugs |url=http://people.com/politics/al-franken-says-john-belushis-fatal-overdose-inspired-him-to-give-up-drugs/ |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720082107/http://people.com/politics/al-franken-says-john-belushis-fatal-overdose-inspired-him-to-give-up-drugs/ |archive-date=July 20, 2017  }}</ref> In 1995, Franken left the show in protest over losing the role of ''[[Weekend Update]]'' anchor to [[Norm Macdonald]].<ref>Spano, Wy (2010). ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Senate: Franken vs. Coleman and the Decline and Fall of Civilized Politics''. p. 51. [[Zenith Press]].  {{ISBN|0-7603-3902-3}}.</ref>

During an interview on the [[The Howard Stern Show|Howard Stern Show]], comedian and actor [[Dan Aykroyd]] confirmed that Franken wrote the famous line "Jane, you ignorant slut" from the Point/Counterpoint segment during Aykroyd's tenure at SNL.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7_wzhVOZrU |title=Dan Aykroyd Wanted Eddie Murphy & John Belushi to Be in "Ghostbusters" (2015) |date=2024-03-24 |last=The Howard Stern Show |access-date=2025-06-28 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

In 1995, Franken wrote and starred in the film ''[[Stuart Saves His Family]]'', which was based on his ''SNL'' character Stuart Smalley. The film was a critical and commercial failure and Franken became depressed as a result.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leopold |first=Todd |title=Al Franken's Guide to Life |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/books/05/07/al.franken/ |access-date=August 31, 2014 |publisher=[[CNN]]|date=May 7, 2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903072337/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/books/05/07/al.franken/ |archive-date=September 3, 2014  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stuart Saves His Family |url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/lat-snl6_dq2qbzgw20100512134132-photo.html |access-date=August 31, 2014 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905164150/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/lat-snl6_dq2qbzgw20100512134132-photo.html |archive-date=September 5, 2014  }}</ref> Despite its aggregate rating of 30% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Stuart Saves His Family (1995) |url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/stuart_saves_his_family/ |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=April 12, 1995 |access-date=August 31, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223052038/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stuart_saves_his_family |archive-date=February 23, 2015  }}</ref> the film received favorable reviews from ''[[The Washington Post]]''<ref>{{cite news |last=Howe |first=Desson |title='Stuart Saves His Family' (PG-13) |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/stuartsaveshisfamilypg13howe_c010f1.htm |access-date=August 31, 2014 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=April 14, 1995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904041550/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/stuartsaveshisfamilypg13howe_c010f1.htm |archive-date=September 4, 2014  }}</ref> and [[Gene Siskel]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Siskel |first=Gene |title='Stuart' Funny Without Making Fun of Self-Help Movement |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/04/14/stuart-funny-without-making-fun-of-self-help-movement/ |access-date=August 31, 2014 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=April 14, 1995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903122402/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-04-14/entertainment/9504140292_1_stuart-smalley-water-tower-al-franken |archive-date=September 3, 2014  }}</ref>

== Post-''SNL'' activities ==
{{Main|Fox v. Franken|The Al Franken Show}}

Franken is the author of four books that made [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times'' Best Seller list]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Powers |first=Retha |title=This Is My Best: Great Writers Share Their Favorite Work |url=https://archive.org/details/thisismybestgrea00kath |url-access=limited |year=2005 |publisher=Chronicle Books |edition=Paperback |isbn=978-0-8118-4829-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/thisismybestgrea00kath/page/549 549]}}</ref> His 1996 book ''[[Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations]]'' topped the ''New York Times'' list; the audiobook, which was read by Franken, won a Grammy Award. Another Grammy was awarded for Franken's 2003 ''[[Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right]]'', a satirical book on American politics and [[Conservatism in the United States|conservatism]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-23|title=Al Franken|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/al-franken/9064|access-date=2021-10-27|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027062336/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/al-franken/9064|url-status=live}}</ref> The book's title incorporated the [[Fox News]] slogan "Fair and Balanced", and had a cover photo of Fox News commentator [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]]; that August, Fox News sued claiming [[Trademark infringement|infringement]] of its registered trademark phrase.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/12/nyregion/to-fox-fair-and-balanced-doesn-t-describe-al-franken.html |title=To Fox, 'Fair and Balanced' Doesn't Describe Al Franken |date=August 12, 2003 |access-date=January 6, 2013 |first=Susan |last=Saulny |work=[[The New York Times]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127011040/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/12/nyregion/to-fox-fair-and-balanced-doesn-t-describe-al-franken.html |archive-date=January 27, 2013  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/288504b959f62ea2183ad199630f5876 |title=Fox News Sues Humorist Al Franken over Slogan |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |date=August 11, 2003 |access-date=January 6, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730235345/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2003/Fox-Sues-Humorist-Al-Franken-Over-Slogan/id-288504b959f62ea2183ad199630f5876 |archive-date=July 30, 2013  }}</ref> A federal judge found the [[lawsuit]] "wholly without merit". The incident focused media attention on Franken's book and, according to him, greatly increased its sales.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news |last=Saulny |first=Susan |date=August 23, 2003 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/23/nyregion/23FRAN.html |title=In Courtroom, Laughter at Fox and a Victory for Al Franken |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=October 5, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704223849/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/23/nyregion/23FRAN.html |archive-date=July 4, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 3, 2003 |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1419191 |title=Comedian and Political Commentator Al Franken |publisher=[[NPR|National Public Radio]] | access-date =October 5, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050911192611/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1419191 |archive-date=September 11, 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref> The publicity resulting from the lawsuit propelled Franken's yet-to-be-released book to number 1 on [[Amazon.com]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/0452285216.asp |title=''Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them'' (review) |publisher=Bookreporter.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608165400/http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/0452285216.asp |archive-date=June 8, 2011  }}</ref>

Franken signed a one-year contract in early 2004 to host a talk show for [[Air America Radio]]'s flagship program with co-host [[Katherine Lanpher]], who remained with the show until October 2005. The network was launched on March 31, 2004. Originally named ''The O'Franken Factor'' as a pun on right-wing talk show ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]'', but later renamed ''[[The Al Franken Show]]'' on July 12, 2004, the show aired three hours a day, five days a week for three years. Its stated goal was to put more progressive views on the public airwaves to counter what Franken perceived as the dominance of conservative syndicated commentary on the radio: "I'm doing this because I want to use my energies to get [[George W. Bush|Bush]] unelected", he told a ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' reporter in 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shorto |first=Russell |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/magazine/al-franken-seriously-so.html |title=Al Franken, Seriously So |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 21, 2004 |access-date=July 9, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110182650/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/magazine/al-franken-seriously-so.html |archive-date=November 10, 2010  }}</ref> Franken's last radio show on Air America Radio was on February 14, 2007, at the end of which he announced his candidacy for the [[United States Senate]].<ref name="Departure">{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/al-franken-leave-air-america-february-wbna16871434 |title=Al Franken to Leave Air America in February |date=January 29, 2007 |access-date=November 10, 2019 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930072040/https://www.today.com/popculture/al-franken-leave-air-america-february-wbna16871434 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Franken also co-wrote the film ''[[When a Man Loves a Woman (film)|When a Man Loves a Woman]]'', co-created and starred in the [[NBC]] sitcom ''[[LateLine]]'', and appeared in the [[The Manchurian Candidate (2004 film)|2004 remake]] of ''[[The Manchurian Candidate (1962 film)|The Manchurian Candidate]]''.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

In 2003, Franken served as a Fellow at [[Harvard Kennedy School]]'s [[Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy]].<ref name="Call Me Senator" /> Since 2005 he has been a contributor to ''[[The Huffington Post]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/al-franken/ |title=Al Franken |publisher=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=September 26, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019025310/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/al-franken/ |archive-date=October 19, 2012  }}</ref>

Franken toured [[Iraq]] several times with the [[United Service Organizations]] (USO).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kasindorf |first1=Martin |last2=Komarow |first2=Steven |title=USO Cheers Troops, but Iraq Gigs Tough to Book |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-12-22-uso-cover_x.htm |access-date=August 29, 2014 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=December 22, 2005 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108031548/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-12-22-uso-cover_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 25, 2009, he was presented with the USO Metro Merit Award for his ten years of involvement with the organization.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael J. |last=Carden |title=USO Metro Salutes Exceptional Troops, Volunteers |url=http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=53663 |work=[[United States Department of Defense|Defense.gov]] |publisher=[[American Forces Press Service]] |date=March 26, 2009 |access-date=January 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114022710/http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=53663 |archive-date=January 14, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Diaz |first=Kevin |title=Franken to Receive Award for USO Service |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/41689022.html |access-date=September 8, 2014 |work=[[Star Tribune]] |date=March 23, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909004904/http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/41689022.html |archive-date=September 9, 2014  }}</ref>

== Political activism ==
{{Modern liberalism US|politicians}}
[[File:Senator Paul Simon and comedian Al Franken.jpg|thumb|Franken with Senator [[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]] in 1991]]
According to an article by [[Richard Corliss]] published in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, "In a way, Franken has been running for office since the late '70s." Corliss also hinted at Franken's "possibly ironic role as a relentless self-promoter" in proclaiming the 1980s "The Al Franken Decade" and saying, "Vote for me, Al Franken. You'll be glad you did!"<ref name=Corliss>{{Cite news |last=Corliss |first=Richard |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1590138,00.html |title=Vote for Me, Al Franken |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=February 14, 2007 |access-date=July 9, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212234345/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1590138,00.html |archive-date=December 12, 2008  }}</ref> In 1999 Franken released a parody book, ''[[Why Not Me? (novel)|Why Not Me?]]'', detailing his hypothetical campaign for president in 2000. He had been a strong supporter of Minnesota Senator [[Paul Wellstone]], who died in a plane crash shortly before the [[United States Senate elections, 2002|2002 election]]. Wellstone was a mentor and political and personal role model for Franken,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.startribune.com/franken-shakes-off-the-hoopla-settles-into-job/50504522/ |title=Franken Shakes Off the Hoopla, Settles into Job |last=Roper |first=Eric |date=July 10, 2009 |newspaper=[[Star Tribune]] |access-date=February 13, 2017 |quote=...Paul Wellstone, Franken's political mentor, whose picture now sits near his desk. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214101300/http://www.startribune.com/franken-shakes-off-the-hoopla-settles-into-job/50504522/ |archive-date=February 14, 2017  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.kare11.com/news/politics/elections/minnesotans-in-spotlight-as-dnc-opens/281098711 |title=Minnesotans in Spotlight as DNC Opens |last=Croman |first=John |date=July 26, 2016 |publisher=KARE-11 |access-date=February 13, 2017 |quote=[Franken] summoned the name of his friend and mentor, the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, who said that winning elections is about both passion and work. }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> who stated his hopes of following in Wellstone's footsteps.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2009/07/tuesday-frankens-hand-will-be-wellstone-bible-his-thoughts-likely-many-minne |title=Tuesday, Franken's Hand Will Be on Wellstone Bible, His Thoughts Likely on the Many Minnesotans He's Met |date=July 6, 2009 |access-date=January 5, 2013 |first=Jay |last=Weiner |work=MinnPost |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015071302/http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2009/07/tuesday-frankens-hand-will-be-wellstone-bible-his-thoughts-likely-many-minne |archive-date=October 15, 2012  }}</ref><ref name="cnn-senator">{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/06/franken.bio/index.html |title=From Satirist to Senator |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=July 6, 2009|access-date=December 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722094956/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/06/franken.bio/index.html |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Senator [[Norm Coleman]]'s comment that he was a "99 percent improvement" over Wellstone was an impetus for Franken's run for the Senate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-05 |title=Franken: Roll Call's Coleman Interview Led Him to Politics |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2017/06/05/franken-roll-calls-coleman-interview-led-him-to-politics/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=[[Roll Call]] |language=en}}</ref>

Franken said he learned that 21% of Americans received most of their news from [[talk radio]], an almost exclusively conservative medium.<ref name=Corliss /> "I didn't want to sit on the sidelines, and I believed Air America could make a difference", he said.<ref name=Corliss /> In November 2003 Franken talked about moving back to his home state of Minnesota to run for the Senate. At the time the seat once held by Wellstone was occupied by Republican [[Norm Coleman]]. At a 2004 Democratic presidential campaign event, Franken tackled a man who was allegedly threatening other attendees and heckling Governor [[Howard Dean]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2004/01/27/al-franken-knocks-down-dean-heckler/ |title=Al Franken Knocks Down Dean Heckler |last=Morris |first=Vince |date=January 27, 2004 |work=[[New York Post]] |access-date=February 17, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218070056/http://nypost.com/2004/01/27/al-franken-knocks-down-dean-heckler/ |archive-date=February 18, 2017  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2004/1/28/12868/- |title=THE TRUTH about Franken's "Takedown" |work=Daily Kos |access-date=November 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107002855/https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2004/1/28/12868/- |archive-date=November 7, 2017  }}</ref> In 2005 Franken announced his move to Minnesota: "I can tell you honestly, I don't know if I'm going to run, but I'm doing the stuff I need to do in order to do it."<ref>{{cite news |last=Kuhn |first=David Paul |title=Senator Franken? |url=http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/04/28/franken/ |date=April 28, 2005 |access-date=February 15, 2007 |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218070911/http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/04/28/franken/ |archive-date=February 18, 2010  }}</ref> In late 2005 he started his own [[political action committee]], Midwest Values PAC. By early 2007 the PAC had raised more than $1{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/02/al_franken_minnesota.html |first=Chris |last=Cilizza |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=February 5, 2007 |access-date=August 8, 2007 |title=Minnesota Senate: Is Franken the Dems' Dream Candidate? |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523143444/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/02/al_franken_minnesota.html?nav=rss_blog |archive-date=May 23, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2007/09/doggone-it-people-like-him.html |work=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |date=September 1, 2007| access-date=September 1, 2007 |title=Doggone It, People Like Him |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012161000/http://motherjones.com/news/outfront/2007/09/doggone-it-people-like-him.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Franken was the subject of the 2006 documentary film ''[[Al Franken: God Spoke]]'', which ''[[The New York Times]]'' called "an investigation of the phenomenon of ideological celebrity".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/13/movies/13spok.html |last=Scott |first=A.O. |author-link=A. O. Scott |title=Comedian Turned Activist, With His Own Campaign |access-date=August 30, 2014 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 13, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213203915/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/13/movies/13spok.html |archive-date=December 13, 2016  }}</ref>

[[File:Al Franken Iraq 7.jpg|thumb|upright|Franken playing [[Saddam Hussein]] while entertaining service members in Iraq (2005)]]
Franken initially supported the [[Iraq War]], but opposed the [[Iraq War troop surge of 2007|2007 troop surge]]. In an interview with [[MSNBC]]'s [[Joe Scarborough]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10381687 |title=Transcript, "Scarborough Country" |work=[[NBC News]] |date=December 7, 2005 |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=October 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015204921/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10381687/ |url-status=live }}</ref> he said that he "believed [[Colin Powell]]", whose presentation at the United Nations convinced him that the war was necessary, but had since come to believe that "we were misled into the war" and urged the Democratic-controlled Congress to refuse to pass appropriations bills to fund the war if they did not include timetables for leaving Iraq. In an interview with [[Josh Marshall]], Franken said of the Democrats, "I think we've gotta make President [[George W. Bush]] say, 'OK, I'm cutting off funding because I won't agree to a timetable.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minnpost.com/eric-black-ink/2008/08/coleman-and-franken-iraq-everything-you-need-know |title=Coleman and Franken on Iraq: Everything You Need to Know |work=[[MinnPost]] |date=August 7, 2008 |access-date=August 29, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221084117/http://www.minnpost.com/eric-black-ink/2008/08/coleman-and-franken-iraq-everything-you-need-know |archive-date=December 21, 2014  }}</ref>

In 2004, Franken favored transitioning to a [[universal health care]] system,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Al Franken, Seriously |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/magazine/21FRANKEN.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 21, 2004 |access-date=November 10, 2015 |issn=0362-4331 |first=Russell |last=Shorto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005054208/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/magazine/21FRANKEN.html |archive-date=October 5, 2015  }}</ref> with the provision that every child in America would receive health care coverage immediately. In 2014, he objected to efforts to privatize [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]] or cut benefits, favoring raising the cap on wages to which Social Security taxes apply.<ref>{{cite news |last=Black |first=Eric |title=Franken on Fixing Social Security and Medicare — and why repealing Obamacare is a terrible idea |url=http://www.minnpost.com/eric-black-ink/2014/08/franken-fixing-social-security-and-medicare-and-why-repealing-obamacare-terri |access-date=August 30, 2014 |work=MinnPost |date=August 26, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829060110/http://www.minnpost.com/eric-black-ink/2014/08/franken-fixing-social-security-and-medicare-and-why-repealing-obamacare-terri |archive-date=August 29, 2014  }}</ref> On his 2008 campaign website, he voiced support for cutting [[subsidy|subsidies]] for oil companies, increasing money available for college students, and cutting interest rates on [[student loan]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Higher Education |url=http://www.alfranken.com/pages/higher_education/ |publisher=Al Franken for Senate |year=2008 |access-date=December 13, 2008 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20081120065426/http://www.alfranken.com/pages/higher_education/ |archive-date=November 20, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gas Prices |url=http://www.alfranken.com/pages/gas_prices/ |publisher=Al Franken for Senate |year=2008 |access-date=December 13, 2008 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20081120064733/http://www.alfranken.com/pages/gas_prices/ |archive-date=November 20, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the 2008 election, New York state officials asserted that Al Franken Inc. had failed to carry required [[workers' compensation]] insurance for employees who assisted him with his comedy and public speaking from 2002 to 2005. Franken paid a $25,000 fine to the state of New York upon being advised his corporation was out of compliance with the state's workers' compensation laws.<ref name="comp">{{cite web |first=Kevin |last=Duchschere |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/16241067.html |title=Franken Faces $25,000 Workers' Comp Penalty |work=[[Star Tribune]] |date=March 12, 2008 |access-date=July 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620013416/http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/16241067.html |archive-date=June 20, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the same time, the [[California Franchise Tax Board]] reported that the same corporation owed more than $4,743 in taxes, fines, and associated penalties in the state of California for 2003 through 2007, because the corporation did not file tax returns in the state for those years.<ref name="round">{{cite web |last=Duchschere |first=Kevin |url=http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=18160744 |title=Friday: New Round of Financial Questions Dogs Franken |work=[[Star Tribune]] |date=April 24, 2008 |access-date=July 9, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324192946/http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=18160744 |archive-date=March 24, 2009  }}</ref> A Franken representative said that it followed the advice of an accountant who believed when the corporation stopped doing business in California that no further filing was required.<ref>{{cite web |title=More Furor over Franken's Taxes |date=April 16, 2008 |url=http://www.twincities.com/ci_8950475 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221235919/http://www.twincities.com/ci_8950475 |archive-date=February 21, 2012  }}</ref> Franken subsequently paid $70,000 in back [[income tax]]es in 17 states dating back to 2003, mostly from his speeches and other paid appearances. Franken said he paid the income tax in his state of residence, and he would seek retroactive credit for paying the taxes in the wrong state.<ref name="70k">{{Cite news |first=Patrick |last=Condon |url=http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Apr30/0,4670,FrankenTaxes,00.html |title=Comedian Turned Candidate Franken to Pay $70K in Back Taxes |work=[[Fox News]] |date=April 30, 2008 |access-date=July 9, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527010942/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Apr30/0,4670,FrankenTaxes,00.html |archive-date=May 27, 2013  }}</ref>

== U.S. Senate ==
===Elections===
====2008 election====
{{Main|2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota}}
[[File:AlFranken.JPG|thumb|upright|Franken campaigning for the U.S. Senate in 2008]]
On January 29, 2007, Franken announced his departure from [[Air America Radio]],<ref name="Departure" /> and on the day of his final show, February 14, he formally announced his candidacy for the [[United States Senate]] from [[Minnesota]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Al Franken Decides He's Good Enough, Smart Enough to Run for Senate |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/02/al_franken_decides_hes_good_en_1.html |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=February 1, 2007 | access-date=February 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101172006/http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2007/02/al_franken_decides_hes_good_en_1.html |archive-date=January 1, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> Challenging him for the [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party]] endorsement was [[Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer]], a professor, author, and activist; trial lawyer [[Mike Ciresi]]; and attorney and human rights activist [[Jim Cohen]], who dropped out of the race early.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/16463506.html?source=error |title=Ciresi in Parting: Choose Wisely |work=[[Star Tribune]]|date=March 11, 2008 |access-date=January 3, 2013 |first=Pat |last=Doyle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101215103/http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/16463506.html?source=error |archive-date=January 1, 2015  }}</ref> Franken won the nomination with 65% of the vote.

On July 8, 2007, Franken's campaign stated that it expected to announce that he had raised more money than his Republican opponent, [[Norm Coleman]], during the second quarter of the year, taking in $1.9{{nbsp}}million to Coleman's $1.6{{nbsp}}million,<ref name="q2">{{cite web |title=Franken Raises Over $1.9&nbsp;Million in Second Quarter |url=http://blog.alfranken.com/2007/07/09/franken-raises-over-19-million-in-second-quarter/ |publisher=Al Franken for Senate |date=July 8, 2007 | access-date=February 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080203052850/http://blog.alfranken.com/2007/07/09/franken-raises-over-19-million-in-second-quarter/ |archive-date=February 3, 2008}}</ref><ref name="mulcahy">{{cite news |last=Mulcahy |first=Mike |title=Franken Leads the Pack in Second Quarter Fundraising |work=Polinaut |publisher=Minnesota Public Radio |date=July 9, 2007 |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2007/07/franken_leads_t.shtml |access-date=July 17, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014071216/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2007/07/franken_leads_t.shtml |archive-date=October 14, 2007  }}</ref> although in early July 2007, Coleman's $3.8{{nbsp}}million cash on hand exceeded Franken's $2{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="mulcahy" />

In May 2008, the [[Minnesota Republican Party]] released a letter about an article Franken had written for ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine in 2000 titled "Porn-O-Rama!" The letter, signed by six prominent GOP women, including a state senator and state representative, called on Franken to apologize for what they called a "demeaning and degrading" article.<ref name=playboy>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4921109&page=1 |title=GOP Targets Al Franken's Playboy Column |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=May 23, 2008 |access-date=July 9, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006065717/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4921109&page=1 |archive-date=October 6, 2008  }}</ref> His campaign spokesman responded, "Al had a long career as a satirist. But he understands the difference between what you say as a satirist and what you do as a senator. And as a Senator, Norm Coleman has disrespected the people of Minnesota by putting the [[Exxon]]s and [[Halliburton]]s ahead of working families. And there's nothing funny about that."<ref name=playboy />

On June 7, 2008, Franken was endorsed by the [[Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party|DFL]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww3.startribune.com/bigquestionblog/?p=1062 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530055911/http://ww3.startribune.com/bigquestionblog/?p=1062 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2012 |title=Les saya: It's Franken in One |work=[[Star Tribune]] |date=June 7, 2008 |access-date=July 9, 2009}}</ref> In a July 2008 interview with [[CNN]], he was endorsed by [[Ben Stein]], an entertainer, speechwriter, lawyer and author known for his conservative views, who generally supported Republican candidates.<ref name="BenSteins">{{Cite news |title=Preston on Politics: Bueller? Bueller?&nbsp;— McCain Needs Rove |publisher=[[CNN]]|first=Mark |last=Preston |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/27/preston.mccain/index.html |access-date =July 29, 2008 |date=July 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912135051/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/27/preston.mccain/index.html?iref=newssearch |archive-date=September 12, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> Stein said of Franken, "He is my pal, and he is a really, really capable smart guy. I don't agree with all of his positions, but he is a very impressive guy, and I think he should be in the Senate."

During his campaign, Franken was criticized for advising ''SNL'' creator [[Lorne Michaels]] on a political sketch ridiculing Senator [[John McCain]]'s ads attacking [[Barack Obama]] in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]].<ref name="martin">{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Jonathon |last2=Kraushaar |first2=Josh |title=Franken Helps Craft McCain 'SNL' Skit |work=[[Politico]]|date=September 20, 2008 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2008/09/franken-helps-craft-mccain-snl-skit-013684| access-date =October 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027205436/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13684.html |archive-date=October 27, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> Coleman's campaign reacted, saying, "Once again, he proves he's more interested in entertainment than service, and ridiculing those with whom he disagrees."<ref name="scheck">{{cite news |last=Scheck |first=Tom |title=Coleman Hits Franken for SNL Skit |publisher=Minnesota Public Radio |date=September 21, 2008 |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2008/09/coleman_hits_fr_1.shtml| access-date =October 29, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926001824/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2008/09/coleman_hits_fr_1.shtml |archive-date=September 26, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Preliminary reports on election night, November 4, were that Coleman was leading by over 700 votes, but the official results, certified on November 18, 2008, had Coleman leading by only 215 votes. As the two candidates were separated by less than 0.5 percent of the votes cast, the Minnesota [[Secretary of State of Minnesota|Secretary of State]], [[Mark Ritchie (politician)|Mark Ritchie]] authorized the automatic recount provided for in Minnesota election law. In the recount, ballots and certifying materials were examined by hand, and candidates could file challenges to the legality of ballots or materials for inclusion or exclusion. On January 5, 2009, the [[Elections in Minnesota#Minnesota State Canvassing Board|Minnesota State Canvassing Board]] certified the recounted vote totals, with Franken ahead by 225 votes.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Chris |last1=Welch |first2=Ed |last2=Hornick |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/05/minnesota.recount/ |title=Franken Declares Senate Race Win After State Ruling |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=January 6, 2009 |access-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103190935/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/05/minnesota.recount/ |archive-date=January 3, 2010  }}</ref>

[[File:MN- Union Members Attend Franken Rally in St. Paul (2963989200).jpg|thumb|Franken at an election rally with [[Hillary Clinton]] in October 2008]]
On January 6, 2009, Coleman's campaign filed an [[United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008#Election contest|election contest]] which led to a trial before a three-judge panel.<ref name=contest>{{cite web |url=http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=3409 |title=Minnesota Senate Seat Election Contest |publisher=Minnesota Courts |date=January 6, 2009 |access-date=January 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226082736/http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=3409 |archive-date=December 26, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The trial ended on April 7, when the panel ruled that 351 of 387 disputed absentee ballots were incorrectly rejected and ordered them counted. Counting those ballots raised Franken's lead to 312 votes. Coleman appealed to the [[Minnesota Supreme Court]] on April 20.<ref name=mn_sc_appeal>{{cite web |url=http://www.twincities.com/ci_12187779 |title=Coleman Asks High Court to Look Again at Rejected Votes |first=Jason |last=Hoppin |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |date=April 20, 2009 |access-date=April 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509084306/http://www.twincities.com/ci_12187779 |archive-date=May 9, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=court>{{Cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/04/14/2009-04-14_al_frankens_minn_victor_court_rules.html |title=Al Franken Is the Winner of Minnesota Senate Race, Court Rules |work=[[New York Daily News]] |date=April 14, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417103549/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/04/14/2009-04-14_al_frankens_minn_victor_court_rules.html |archive-date=April 17, 2009  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Muskal |first=Michael |url=https://latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-franken-recount8-2009apr08,0,4669302.story |title=Franken Widens Lead in Minnesota Senate Recount |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 7, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410081229/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-franken-recount8-2009apr08,0,4669302.story |archive-date=April 10, 2009  }}</ref> On April 24 the Minnesota Supreme Court agreed to hear the [[United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008#Appeal to Minnesota Supreme Court|case]].<ref name="Court date">{{cite web |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/04/24/coleman_franken_appeal_date_pushed_back/ |title=Supreme Court Recount Timeline Called Reasonable |date=April 24, 2009 |access-date=January 9, 2013 |work=[[Minnesota Public Radio]] |first=Elizabeth |last=Stawicki |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429101057/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/04/24/coleman_franken_appeal_date_pushed_back |archive-date=April 29, 2009  }}</ref><ref name="MNSC-ruling-Apr24">{{cite web |url=http://www.mncourts.gov/Documents/0/Public/Other/2008%20Elections/Order4.24.09.pdf |title=Order for Briefing Schedule |publisher=Minnesota Supreme Court |date=April 24, 2009|access-date=April 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521083509/http://www.mncourts.gov/Documents/0/Public/Other/2008%20Elections/Order4.24.09.pdf |archive-date=May 21, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Oral arguments were conducted on June 1.<ref name="Court date" /><ref name="MSC-Docket">{{cite web |url=http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=3409 |title=Minnesota Senate Seat '08 Election |publisher=Minnesota Judicial Branch |access-date=July 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226082736/http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=3409 |archive-date=December 26, 2008}}</ref>

On June 30, 2009, the Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously rejected Coleman's appeal and said that Franken was entitled to be certified as the winner. Shortly after the court's decision, Coleman conceded.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/06/coleman-concedes-race-to-franken-024383 |title=Norm Coleman Concedes Minnesota Senate race to Al Franken |first1=Josh |last1=Kraushaar |first2=Manu |last2=Raju |work=[[Politico]]|date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106085518/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24383.html |archive-date=January 6, 2012  }}</ref> Governor [[Tim Pawlenty]] signed Franken's election certificate that evening.<ref>{{cite web |first=Pat |last=Doyle |url=http://www.salon.com/2009/06/30/pawlenty_4/ |title=Pawlenty Will Sign Franken Election Certificate |work=[[Salon.com|Salon]]|date=June 30, 2009 |access-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101214052/http://www.salon.com/2009/06/30/pawlenty_4/ |archive-date=January 1, 2015  }}</ref>

====2014 election====
{{Main|2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota}}

Franken was reelected to a second term in 2014. He won the August 12 primary election, in which he was challenged by Sandra Henningsgard, with 94.5% of the vote.<ref name="primaryresults">{{cite web |url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/USSenate/19?officeInElectionId=5382 |title=Statewide Results for U.S. Senator, Primary Election |publisher=[[Minnesota Secretary of State]] |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507205238/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/USSenate/19?officeInElectionId=5382 |archive-date=May 7, 2017  }}</ref> He won the general election against the Republican nominee, [[Mike McFadden]] with 53.2% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Most Detailed Maps You'll See from the Midterm Elections |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/11/04/upshot/senate-maps.html |access-date=November 6, 2014 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106083058/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/11/04/upshot/senate-maps.html |archive-date=November 6, 2014  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/USSenate/20?officeInElectionId=5382 |title=Statewide Results for U.S. Senator |publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State |access-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612141948/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/USSenate/20?officeInElectionId=5382 |archive-date=June 12, 2017  }}</ref>

=== Tenure ===
[[File:Joe Biden meets with Al Franken in DC 5-6-09.jpg|thumb|left|Franken meeting with Vice President [[Joe Biden]] in May 2009]]
Franken was sworn into the Senate on July 7, 2009, 246 days after the election.<ref name="NYT-Huls-2009-07-07">{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2009 |title=And Here's Senator Franken |last=Huls |first=Carl |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=July 8, 2009 |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/and-heres-senator-franken |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710221126/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/and-heres-senator-franken/ |archive-date=July 10, 2009  }}</ref><ref name="First Read-Montanaro-2009-07-07">{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2009 |first=Domenico |last=Montanaro |title=Al Franken, the Newest U.S. Senator |work=First Read |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |access-date=July 8, 2009 |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/07/07/1988777.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710074040/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/07/07/1988777.aspx |archive-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref> He took the oath of office with the Bible of late Minnesota Senator [[Paul Wellstone]], whose old seat Senate leaders set aside for Franken.<ref name="Stassen-Berger">{{cite news |last=Stassen-Berger |first=Rachel |title=Minnesota Sen. Al Franken Sworn in with Paul Wellstone Bible |url=http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_12768346 |access-date=May 14, 2013 |newspaper=Pioneer Press |date=July 7, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909010059/http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_12768346 |archive-date=September 9, 2014  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Brunswick |first=Mark |title=Emotional Franken Vows to honor Wellstone |work=[[Star Tribune]] |date=July 1, 2009 |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/49610287.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607061317/http://www.startribune.com/politics/49610287.html |archive-date=June 7, 2011  }}</ref>

On August 6, 2009, Franken presided over the confirmation vote of [[Sonia Sotomayor]] to be an [[Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/06/senator-franken-center-stage-presides-sotomayor-vote/ |title=Senator Franken, at Center Stage, Presides over Sotomayor Vote |publisher=[[Fox News]] |date=August 6, 2009 |access-date=October 18, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216212333/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/06/senator-franken-center-stage-presides-sotomayor-vote/ |archive-date=February 16, 2012  }}</ref> On August 5, 2010, Franken presided over the confirmation vote of [[Elena Kagan]]. His first piece of legislation, the Service Dogs for Veterans Act, which he wrote jointly with Republican Senator [[Johnny Isakson]], passed the Senate by [[unanimous consent]]. It established a program with the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]] to pair disabled veterans with [[service dogs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://minnesotaindependent.com/40260/franken-veteran-dog-bill-defense |title=Franken's First Bill Passes as Part of Defense Bill |date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=January 9, 2013 |first=Chris |last=Steller |work=[[The Minnesota Independent]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219051351/http://minnesotaindependent.com/40260/franken-veteran-dog-bill-defense |archive-date=December 19, 2011 }}</ref>

[[File:Al Franken Official Senate Portrait.jpg|thumb|Franken during the [[111th United States Congress|111th Congress]]]]
A video of Franken at the [[Minnesota State Fair]] on September 2, 2009, engaging in a discussion with a group of [[Tea Party protests|Tea Party protesters]] on health care reform, began circulating on the Internet and soon went [[viral video|viral]].<ref name="blogs.usatoday.com">{{cite news | last=Fritze | first=John | title=Franken works the fair on health care | work=[[USA Today]] | date=September 4, 2009 | url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2009/09/68498431/1 | access-date=July 23, 2019 | archive-date=September 29, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929040907/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2009/09/68498431/1 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/32699075 |title=TV Guide: Franken Video Gets Attention |publisher=[[MSNBC]]|access-date=October 18, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909192002/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/32699075 |archive-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> The discussion was noted for its civility, in contrast to the explosive character of several other discussions between members of the [[111th Congress]] and their constituents that had occurred over the summer.<ref name="blogs.usatoday.com" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=717 |title=Franken Finds Fans and Foes Friendly at Fair |publisher=Kare11.com |access-date=June 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620150522/http://franken.senate.gov/?p=news&id=717 |archive-date=June 20, 2010  }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090907163302/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/32699075#32699075 TV Guide: Franken Video Gets Attention]. Msnbc.msn.com</ref>

During the [[Health care reform debate in the United States|debate on health care reform]], Franken was one of the strongest supporters of a [[Single-payer health care|single-payer system]].<ref name=headdown /> He authored an amendment to the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] called the [[Loss ratio|Medical Loss Ratio]], which required that insurance companies spend at least 80% of premiums on actual health care costs, and 85% for large group plans.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.minnpost.com/dc-dispatches/2010/07/franken-warns-against-weakening-law-health-care-spending |title=Franken Warns Against Weakening Law on Health-Care Spending |date=July 22, 2010 |first=Lauren |last=Knobbe |work=[[MinnPost]] |access-date=June 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010202328/http://www.minnpost.com/dc-dispatches/2010/07/franken-warns-against-weakening-law-health-care-spending |archive-date=October 10, 2012  }}</ref> On September 30, 2013, Franken voted to remove a provision that would repeal Obamacare's medical device tax from a government funding bill,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00210 |title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress – 1st Session: Vote 210 |work=Legislation & Records |publisher=[[United States Senate]] |access-date=September 30, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002234629/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=113&session=1&vote=00210 |archive-date=October 2, 2013  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://hometownsource.com/2013/07/08/klobuchar-franken-call-for-repeal-of-medical-device-tax-to-be-included-in-comprehensive-tax-reform/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131001170023/http://hometownsource.com/2013/07/08/klobuchar-franken-call-for-repeal-of-medical-device-tax-to-be-included-in-comprehensive-tax-reform/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2013 |title=Klobuchar, Franken Call for Repeal of Medical Device Tax |date=July 8, 2013 |publisher=HometownSource.com |access-date=October 1, 2013 }}</ref> saying that though he supported the provision, he disagreed with its being used as a condition for preventing the [[United States federal government shutdown of 2013|2013 federal government shutdown]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Diaz |first=Kevin |title=Complicated Shutdown Votes for Key Minnesotans |date=September 30, 2013 |access-date=October 1, 2013 |url=http://www.startribune.com/nation/225903791.html |work=[[Star Tribune]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215358/http://www.startribune.com/nation/225903791.html |archive-date=October 4, 2013  }}</ref>

Citing the case of [[Jamie Leigh Jones]], Franken introduced a limit to the arbitration policy of the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill that withheld defense contracts from companies that restrict their employees from taking workplace [[sexual assault]], battery, and discrimination cases to court. It passed the Senate in November 2010, 68 to 30, in a roll-call vote.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/07/franken-gets-first-amendm_n_312399.html |title=Franken Gets His First Amendment Passed by Roll Call Vote |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=November 10, 2008 |access-date=October 18, 2009 |first=Sam |last=Stein |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010024151/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/07/franken-gets-first-amendm_n_312399.html |archive-date=October 10, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.franken.senate.gov/?P=Issue&Id=211 |title=Arbitration Amendment &#124; al Franken &#124; Senator for Minnesota |access-date=December 9, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209100052/https://www.franken.senate.gov/?P=Issue&Id=211 |archive-date=December 9, 2017  }}</ref>

[[File:2017AlFranken.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Franken in 2017]]
In May 2010, Franken proposed a financial-reform amendment that created a board to select which [[credit rating agency]] would evaluate a given security. At the time, any company issuing a security could select the company that evaluated the security.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Corkery |first=Michael |title=Al Franken's Credit Rating Amendment is No Joke |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=May 13, 2010 |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2010/05/13/al-frankens-credit-rating-amendment-is-no-joke/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015150026/https://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2010/05/13/al-frankens-credit-rating-amendment-is-no-joke/ |archive-date=October 15, 2017  }}</ref> The amendment passed, but the financial industry lobbied to have it removed from the final bill.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Larnder |first=James |title=Reckoning Day for the Raters |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=June 14, 2010 |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-a-budget/163370-reckoning-day-for-the-raters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622022418/http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-a-budget/102995-reckoning-day-for-the-raters |archive-date=June 22, 2011  }}</ref> Negotiations between the Senate and House, whose version of financial reform did not include such a provision, resulted in the amendment's being watered down to require only a series of studies being done on the issue for two years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davidoff |first=Steven |title=Finding a Good Financial Bill in 2,300 Pages |work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 16, 2010 |url=http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/finding-a-good-financial-bill-in-2300-pages/ |access-date=July 19, 2010 |archive-date=July 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720212251/http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/finding-a-good-financial-bill-in-2300-pages/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After the studies, if the [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] had not implemented another solution to the conflict-of-interest problem, Franken's solution would go into effect.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/al-franken-gets-serious-74561 |title=Al Franken Gets Serious |first=Michael |last=Hirsh |date=July 5, 2010 |access-date=July 20, 2010 |work=[[Newsweek]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66E45J20100715 |title=Factbox: Long To-Do List Ahead for Financial Regulators |work=[[Reuters]]|first1=Rachelle |last1=Younglai |first2=Roberta |last2=Rampton |first3=Kim |last3=Dixon |first4=Mark |last4=Felsenthal |date=July 15, 2010 |access-date=July 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719211849/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66E45J20100715 |archive-date=July 19, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{update inline |reason=Well, what happened after that? Did the SEC act? Did Franken's 'solution' go into effect? |date=June 2023}}

In August 2010, Franken made faces and hand gestures and rolled his eyes while Senate Minority Leader [[Mitch McConnell]] delivered a speech in opposition to the confirmation of [[Elena Kagan]] to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]].<ref name="daileda">{{cite news |last=Daileda |first=Colin |title=McConnell to Franken: 'This Isn't SNL' |work=[[CBS News]] |date=August 6, 2010 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mcconnell-to-franken-this-isnt-snl/ |access-date=November 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812035637/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20012885-503544.html |archive-date=August 12, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Bolton, Alexander (8/5/10). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/168346-mcconnell-scolds-franken-for-making-faces-from-dais-during-his-speech/ McConnell Scolds Franken for Making Faces from Dais During His Speech] . [[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]</ref><ref name="snl">{{cite news |last=Raju |first=Manu |title=McConnell to Franken: This Isn't 'SNL' |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2010/08/mcconnell-to-franken-this-isnt-snl-028416 |newspaper=[[Politico]]|date=August 5, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822235258/http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0810/McConnell_to_Franken_This_isnt_.html |archive-date=August 22, 2010  }}</ref> McConnell responded, "This isn't ''Saturday Night Live'', Al."<ref name="snl" /> After Kagan's confirmation, Franken delivered a handwritten apology to McConnell and issued a public statement saying that McConnell had a right "to give his speech with the presiding officer just listening respectfully".<ref name="daileda" />

The ''[[National Journal]]'' reported in 2013 that Franken supported the [[National Security Agency]]'s data mining programs, believing they had saved lives, and that "I can assure you, this is not about spying on the American people."<ref>{{cite news |last=Berman |first=Matt |title=The NSA Has at Least 1 Liberal Friend Left: Sen. Al Franken |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/the-nsa-has-at-least-1-liberal-friend-left-sen-al-franken-20130611 |access-date=September 8, 2014 |work=[[National Journal]] |date=June 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909004839/http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/the-nsa-has-at-least-1-liberal-friend-left-sen-al-franken-20130611 |archive-date=September 9, 2014 }}</ref>

In 2013, Franken received the Stewart B. McKinney Award for his work fighting homelessness.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keating |first=Christopher |title=U.S. Sen. Al Franken Will Receive Stewart B. McKinney Award Tonight in D.C. |url=http://courantblogs.com/capitol-watch/u-s-sen-al-franken-will-receive-stewart-b-mckinney-award-tonight/ |access-date=October 31, 2014 |work=Hartford Courant |date=October 30, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031062018/http://courantblogs.com/capitol-watch/u-s-sen-al-franken-will-receive-stewart-b-mckinney-award-tonight/ |archive-date=October 31, 2014}}</ref>

When Franken declared his intention to seek reelection in [[United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2014|2014]],<ref name=franken_st>{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/177050931.html |title=Franken a Player in Democrats' Plan to Keep Senate |date=November 3, 2012 |access-date=November 22, 2012 |work=[[Star Tribune]] |first=Corey |last=Mitchell |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107211952/http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/177050931.html |archive-date=November 7, 2012  }}</ref> his seat was thought to be a top target for the Republicans because of his very slim margin of victory in 2008. But ''[[Politico]]'' reported that his high approval rating, his large campaign fund, and the Republicans' struggle to find a top-tier candidate meant he was a "heavy favorite" to win reelection,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/al-franken-minnesota-senate-2014-91876.html |title=Al Franken goes from top target to heavy favorite for Minnesota Senate |date=May 26, 2013 |first=James |last=Hohmann |work=[[Politico]]|access-date=May 26, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527111328/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/al-franken-minnesota-senate-2014-91876.html |archive-date=May 27, 2013  }}</ref> and Franken won the race comfortably.

In 2015, during [[Loretta Lynch]]'s confirmation hearings, Franken asked her about the [[Computer Fraud and Abuse Act]], reiterating concern for the aggressive prosecution of [[Aaron Swartz]] in ''[[United States v. Swartz]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=2015-02-18|access-date=September 28, 2019|title=Nominee For Attorney General Tap Dances Around Senator Franken's Question About Aaron Swartz|url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150217/11185730056/nominee-attorney-general-tap-dances-around-senator-frankens-question-about-aaron-swartz.shtml|website=Techdirt|author=Mike Masnick|archive-date=September 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928174612/https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150217/11185730056/nominee-attorney-general-tap-dances-around-senator-frankens-question-about-aaron-swartz.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Associated Press]] noted in 2013 that, contrary to expectations, Franken did not seek out the media spotlight: "He rarely talks to the Washington press corps, has shed his comedic persona and focused on policy, working to be taken seriously."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/minns-franken-hardly-gop-target-defeat |title=Minn.'s Franken Hardly a GOP Target for Defeat |date=June 22, 2013 |first=Patrick |last=Condon |website=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=June 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627152136/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/minns-franken-hardly-gop-target-defeat |archive-date=June 27, 2013 }}</ref> In interviews he expressed his desire to be known for a focus on constituency work, keeping his head down, and working hard.<ref name=headdown>{{Cite news |url=http://www.twincities.com/ci_14204708 |title=Al Franken on his first 6 months in the Senate: 'I kept my head down and did my job' |date=January 17, 2010 |first=Jason |last=Hoppin |publisher=TwinCities.com |access-date=June 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223114042/http://www.twincities.com/ci_14204708 |archive-date=February 23, 2014  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_96/-43706-1.html |title=Franken's Goal: I'm Serious Enough |date=March 2, 2013 |first1=Shira |last1=Toeplitz |first2=Emily |last2=Pierce |publisher=[[Roll Call]] |access-date=June 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216034700/http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_96/-43706-1.html |archive-date=December 16, 2012  }}</ref>
[[File:WASHINGTON, DC -- JULY 25 2017 Democratic Senators address a crowd of supporters at a rally on the Capitol steps after the motion to proceed vote on the Trumpcare bill. (35998609362).jpg|thumb|Franken in July 2017 (second from the left)]]
Franken was an effective fundraiser for the Democrats.<ref name="startribune_2017-11-27">{{cite news|last= Brooks |first= Jennifer |title=Franken ashamed but says he'll return to work on Monday |url= http://www.startribune.com/ashamed-franken-says-he-ll-return-to-work-on-monday/460108233/|work=[[Star Tribune]]date=November 27, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171130230108/http://www.startribune.com/ashamed-franken-says-he-ll-return-to-work-on-monday/460108233/|archive-date=November 30, 2017}}</ref><ref name="minnpost_2017-11-17">{{cite news|last= Brodey |first= Sam |title=Resignation or not, what should Democrats do with Franken campaign money?|url=https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2017/11/resignation-or-not-what-should-democrats-do-franken-campaign-money|work=[[MinnPost]]|date=November 17, 2017|url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033207/https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2017/11/resignation-or-not-what-should-democrats-do-franken-campaign-money |archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref><ref name="politico_2015-11-03">{{cite news|last= Everett |first= Burgess |title=Franken gets serious about flipping Senate to Democrats |url= https://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/franken-al-senate-2016-215455|work=[[Politico]]|date=November 3, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033321/https://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/franken-al-senate-2016-215455|archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref> By late 2015, his political action committee had raised more than $5{{nbsp}}million in donations.<ref name="politico_2015-11-03" /> In 2016, his PAC raised $3.3{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="minnpost_2017-11-17" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Midwest Values PAC Summary |url= https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?strID=C00416131 | publisher=[[OpenSecrets]] |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032858/https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?strID=C00416131 |archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref> According to ''[[The Star Tribune]]'', Franken was able to "draw crowds and donations across the country".<ref name="startribune_2017-11-27" />

Franken condemned the [[2017–present Rohingya genocide in Myanmar|genocide]] of the [[Rohingya people|Rohingya Muslim]] minority in [[Myanmar]] and called for a stronger response to the crisis.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sen. Todd Young urges action to end Muslim genocide in Myanmar |url=https://eu.indystar.com/story/news/2017/10/20/sen-todd-young-urges-action-end-muslim-genocide-myanmar/784590001/ |work=IndyStar |date=October 22, 2017 |access-date=February 4, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608003143/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2017/10/20/sen-todd-young-urges-action-end-muslim-genocide-myanmar/784590001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2016, in advance of [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334|UN Security Council resolution 2334]] condemning [[Israeli settlement]]s in the occupied [[Palestinian territories]], Franken signed an [[AIPAC]]-sponsored letter urging Obama to veto "one-sided" resolutions against Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Senate – Aipac |url=https://www.aipac.org/-/media/publications/policy-and-politics/aipac-analyses/issue-memos/2015/text-of-rounds-gillibrand-letter.pdf |date=September 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019210759/https://www.aipac.org/-/media/publications/policy-and-politics/aipac-analyses/issue-memos/2015/text-of-rounds-gillibrand-letter.pdf|archive-date=October 19, 2016 }}</ref> Franken supported an [[Israel Anti-Boycott Act|Anti-Boycott Act]], which would make it legal for U.S. states to refuse to do business with contractors that engage in boycotts against Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors – S.720 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act|first=Benjamin L.|last=Cardin|date=March 23, 2017|website=congress.gov|access-date=June 27, 2019|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621142604/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2017 Franken voted in favor of the [[Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act]] that placed [[United States sanctions against Iran|sanctions on Iran]], Russia, and [[North Korea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00175|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 115th Congress – 1st Session|website=senate.gov|date=July 27, 2017|access-date=June 27, 2019|archive-date=January 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113175200/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00175|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct}}Sexual misconduct allegations ===
{{see also|2017–18 United States political sexual scandals}}
On November 16, 2017, radio broadcaster and model [[Leeann Tweeden]] alleged in a blog post and an interview with her radio station, [[790 KABC]], that Franken kissed her on a 2006 [[USO]] tour during a rehearsal for a skit. She wrote, "I said 'OK' so he would stop badgering me. We did the line leading up to the kiss and then he came at me, put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth."<ref name=Tweeden16Nov2017/> She said she pushed him away, feeling "disgusted and violated".<ref name="Tweeden16Nov2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.kabc.com/2017/11/16/leeann-tweeden-on-senator-al-franken/|title=Senator Al Franken Kissed and Groped Me Without My Consent, And There's Nothing Funny About It|last=Tweeden|first=Leann|author-link=Leann Tweeden|date=November 16, 2017|publisher=[[790 KABC]]|access-date=December 9, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116153732/http://www.kabc.com/2017/11/16/leeann-tweeden-on-senator-al-franken/|archive-date=November 16, 2017}}</ref> [[Roger Stone]] circulated news of the allegations to right-wing media.<ref name=Franken>{{cite magazine |last1=Mayer |first1=Jane |title=The Case of Al Franken |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |access-date=December 25, 2020 |issue=July 29, 2019 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722182057/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Al Franken and Leeann Tweeden.jpg|thumb|Franken holding his hands above [[Leeann Tweeden]]'s breasts in 2006]]
During the 2006 tour, Franken was photographed holding his hands above Tweeden's breasts while she was asleep wearing [[Interceptor Body Armor|body armor]] and a helmet.<ref name="wapo_groped">{{cite news |first1=Amy B. |last1=Wang |first2=Lindsey |last2=Bever |first3=Michelle Ye Hee |last3=Lee |title='Al Franken kissed and groped me without my consent,' broadcaster Leeann Tweeden says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/11/16/al-franken-kissed-and-groped-me-without-my-consent-broadcaster-leeann-tweeden-says |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 16, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116171239/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/11/16/al-franken-kissed-and-groped-me-without-my-consent-broadcaster-leeann-tweeden-says/ |archive-date=November 16, 2017  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Dartunorro |date=November 16, 2017 |title=Al Franken accused of forcibly kissing, groping Leeann Tweeden |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-al-franken-accused-forcibly-kissing-groping-woman-n821381 |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=[[NBC News]] |language=en}}</ref> In Franken's defense, CNBC's [[John Harwood (journalist)|John Harwood]] said, "That pic was obviously a joke, not groping, just like LeeAnn Tweeden wrapping her leg around Robin Williams and smacking his butt; entertainment for soldiers deployed overseas is raunchy like that."<ref>[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/a-teenaged-accusation-against-brett-kavanaugh-is-no-excuse-to-rehabilitate-adult-serial-sexual-predator-al-franken A teenaged accusation against Brett Kavanaugh is no excuse to rehabilitate adult serial sexual predator Al Franken] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403013725/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/a-teenaged-accusation-against-brett-kavanaugh-is-no-excuse-to-rehabilitate-adult-serial-sexual-predator-al-franken |date=April 3, 2019 }}, ''[[Washington Examiner]]'', Becket Adams, September 17, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2019.</ref><ref name="nytimes_groped">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/us/politics/al-franken-sexual-harassment-groping-forcible-kissing.html |title=Senator Al Franken Apologizes for Groping a Woman in 2006 |last=Fandos |first=Nicholas |date=November 16, 2017 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=November 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116201522/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/us/politics/al-franken-sexual-harassment-groping-forcible-kissing.html |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Harwood was referring to video taken of Tweeden "humping" the married Williams on a similar 2004 USO tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leeann Tweeden: Video With 10K Views Shows Her Throwing Her Leg Around Robin Williams, Slapping His Backside |url=https://www.inquisitr.com/4633221/leeann-tweeden-video-with-10k-views-shows-her-throwing-her-leg-around-robin-williams-slapping-his-backside/ |website=Inquisitr |date=November 21, 2017 |access-date=December 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121222622/https://www.inquisitr.com/4633221/leeann-tweeden-video-with-10k-views-shows-her-throwing-her-leg-around-robin-williams-slapping-his-backside/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In response, Franken said, "I certainly don't remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann ... As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn't. I shouldn't have done it."<ref name="variety_groped">{{cite magazine |last=Khatchatourian |first=Maane |title=Al Franken Apologizes After Being Accused of Groping, Kissing Radio Host Without Consent |url=https://variety.com/2017/politics/news/al-franken-accused-groping-radio-host-1202616459/ |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=November 16, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117002645/http://variety.com/2017/politics/news/al-franken-accused-groping-radio-host-1202616459/ |archive-date=November 17, 2017 |access-date=July 16, 2019 }}</ref> A few hours later, Franken issued a longer apology,<ref name="CNN20171116">{{cite news |title=Read Al Franken's apology following accusation of groping and kissing without consent |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/16/politics/al-franken-apology/index.html |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=November 17, 2017 |date=November 17, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116234557/http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/16/politics/al-franken-apology/index.html |archive-date=November 16, 2017  }}</ref> which Tweeden accepted.<ref>{{cite news |last=Savransky |first=Rebecca |title=Woman who accused Franken says she accepts his apology |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/360709-woman-who-accused-franken-says-she-accepts-his-apology/ |access-date=November 19, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=November 16, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118225328/http://thehill.com/homenews/news/360709-woman-who-accused-franken-says-she-accepts-his-apology |archive-date=November 18, 2017  }}</ref>

In the days that followed, seven additional women came forward with allegations of inappropriate behavior during photo ops. Lindsay Menz accused Franken of touching her clothed "upper" buttocks while they posed for a photo at the [[Minnesota State Fair]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=MJ |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/20/politics/al-franken-inappropriate-touch-2010/index.html |title=Woman says Franken inappropriately touched her in 2010 |publisher=[[CNN]]|date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120231510/http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/20/politics/al-franken-inappropriate-touch-2010/index.html |archive-date=November 20, 2017  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/al-franken-hit-with-groping-allegation-from-second-woman/ |title=Al Franken hit with groping allegation from second woman |date=November 20, 2017 |publisher=[[Fox News]] |access-date=November 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120160129/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/11/20/second-woman-alleges-al-franken-groped-her.html |archive-date=November 20, 2017  }}</ref> Two anonymous women made similar complaints related to events during political events.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hatch |first1=Jenavieve |last2=Roth |first2=Zachary |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/al-franken-two-more-women-groping_us_5a15a455e4b09650540ec295 |title=Two More Women Accuse Sen. Al Franken Of Inappropriate Touching |date=November 23, 2017 |access-date=November 23, 2017 |work=[[HuffPost]]|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123002010/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/al-franken-two-more-women-groping_us_5a15a455e4b09650540ec295 |archive-date=November 23, 2017  }}</ref> Franken apologized, saying, "I've met tens of thousands of people and taken thousands of photographs, often in crowded and chaotic situations. I'm a warm person; I hug people. I've learned from recent stories that in some of those encounters, I crossed a line for some women—and I know that any number is too many."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chavez |first1=Nicole |last2=Lee |first2=MJ |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/23/politics/al-franken-apology/index.html |title=Al Franken sorry he 'made some women feel badly' |publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=November 24, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124052538/http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/23/politics/al-franken-apology/index.html |archive-date=November 24, 2017  }}</ref> Another anonymous woman said that after she was a guest on Franken's radio show in 2006, Franken leaned in toward her face during a handshake and gave her "a wet, open-mouthed kiss" on the cheek when she turned her face aside.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schladebeck|first=Jessica|title=Army veteran says Sen. Al Franken groped her while she was stationed in Middle East in 2003|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/army-veteran-sen-al-franken-groped-article-1.3667553|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=November 30, 2017|quote="I reached out my hand to shake his hand", she said, recalling the end of the interview. "He took it and leaned toward me with his mouth open. I turned my head away from him and he landed a wet, open-mouthed kiss awkwardly on my cheek."|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207012432/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/army-veteran-sen-al-franken-groped-article-1.3667553|archive-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gambino|first=Lauren|title=Al Franken: two more women accuse senator of sexual misconduct|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/30/fifth-woman-accuses-senator-al-franken-of-sexual-misconduct|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=November 30, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207040333/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/30/fifth-woman-accuses-senator-al-franken-of-sexual-misconduct|archive-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> The same day, Stephanie Kemplin, an army veteran, told CNN that Franken held the side of her breast for 5 to 10 seconds "and never moved his hand" while posing for a photograph<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/30/politics/al-franken-groping-allegation/index.html |title=Army veteran says Franken groped her during USO tour in 2003 |last=Lee |first=MJ |website=[[CNN]] |date=November 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184801/http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/30/politics/al-franken-groping-allegation/index.html |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |access-date=January 14, 2018}}</ref> with her during a 2003 USO tour in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.10news.com/news/national/fifth-woman-comes-forward-with-accusations-against-al-franken|publisher=[[CNN]]|title=Fifth woman comes forward with accusations against Al Franken|date=November 30, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032035/http://www.10news.com/news/national/fifth-woman-comes-forward-with-accusations-against-al-franken|archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref>

Senate Majority Leader [[Mitch McConnell]] and Minority Leader [[Chuck Schumer]] sent Tweeden's accusations to the [[Senate Ethics Committee]] for review, a decision supported by members of both parties, including Franken.<ref name="nytimes_groped"/> On November 30 the committee announced that it was investigating allegations against him.<ref>{{cite news|last=Naylor|first=Brian|title=Pelosi, Ryan Call on Conyers To Step Down; Franken Under Senate Ethics Inquiry|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/11/30/567436833/conyers-hospitalized-for-stress-as-5th-franken-accuser-comes-forward|work=[[NPR]]|date=November 30, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205181201/https://www.npr.org/2017/11/30/567436833/conyers-hospitalized-for-stress-as-5th-franken-accuser-comes-forward|archive-date=December 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Zdechlik|first=Mark|title=Franken's ethics investigation: a field guide|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/12/04/franken-senate-ethics-investigation-how-it-works|work=Minnesota Public Radio|date=December 4, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204162854/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/12/04/franken-senate-ethics-investigation-how-it-works|archive-date=December 4, 2017}}</ref> Some liberal groups and commentators, including the [[Indivisible movement]] and [[Sally Kohn]], called on Franken to resign.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sachor |first1=Elana |last2=Min Kim |first2=Seung |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/20/al-franken-second-accuser-lindsay-menz-250338 |title=Liberals turn on Franken |work=[[Politico]]|date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=November 24, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121002245/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/20/al-franken-second-accuser-lindsay-menz-250338 |archive-date=November 21, 2017  }}</ref> On December 6, two more accusations surfaced, one by an anonymous congressional aide about an attempted kiss at his radio show studio,<ref name="politico-staffer">{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/al-franken-accusation-sexual-harassment-2006-281049|title=Another woman says Franken tried to forcibly kiss her|work=[[Politico]]|access-date=December 6, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206171224/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/al-franken-accusation-sexual-harassment-2006-281049|archive-date=December 6, 2017}}</ref> and one by congressional aide Tina Dupuy, who alleged that Franken squeezed her waist at a party before he took office.<ref name="politico-dupuy">{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/al-franken-tina-dupuy-sexual-harassment-282894 |title=Woman tells magazine about 2009 Franken groping incident |last=Lima |first=Christiano |date=December 6, 2017 |work=[[Politico]] |access-date=December 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171206211823/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/al-franken-tina-dupuy-sexual-harassment-282894 |archive-date=December 6, 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> More than two dozen Democratic senators, led by New York Senator [[Kirsten Gillibrand]], called on Franken to resign before the ethics committee could review the allegations.<ref name="POLITICO December 6, 2017">{{cite news|last1=Schor|first1=Elana|last2=Kim|first2=Seung Min|title=More than two dozen Democratic senators call on Franken to resign|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/gillibrand-calls-on-franken-to-resign-282112|access-date=December 6, 2017|work=[[Politico]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206182739/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/06/gillibrand-calls-on-franken-to-resign-282112|archive-date=December 6, 2017}}</ref>

==== Resignation ====
Although Franken had asked to be allowed to appear before the Senate Ethics Committee to give his side of the story, on December 6 Senate Minority Leader [[Chuck Schumer]] told him he had to announce his resignation by five o'clock or he could be censured and stripped of committee assignments. On December 7, Franken announced his intention to resign his Senate seat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/al-franken-resignation-calls-senate-address-live-stream-updating/|title=Sen. Al Franken says he's resigning – live stream updates|last=Watson|first=Kathryn|date=December 7, 2017|work=[[CBS News]]|access-date=December 7, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207173720/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/al-franken-resignation-calls-senate-address-live-stream-updating/|archive-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> He called some of the accusations "simply not true" and said he remembered others "very differently".<ref>{{cite web |last=Solis |first=Marie |title=Could Al Franken Make A Comeback? Amy Klobuchar Said Former Senator Has A Third Act |url=http://www.newsweek.com/al-franken-comeback-amy-klobuchar-me-too-886465 |website=[[Newsweek]]|date=April 15, 2018 |access-date=June 9, 2018 |archive-date=June 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606121544/http://www.newsweek.com/al-franken-comeback-amy-klobuchar-me-too-886465 |url-status=live }}</ref> In his resignation speech he made comparisons to Republican politicians, saying he was "aware of the irony" that President Trump remained in office despite the comments Trump made in the [[Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape|''Access Hollywood'' tape]] released a month before his election, and that the Republican Party supported [[Roy Moore]]'s [[United States Senate special election in Alabama, 2017|Senate campaign]] despite the many allegations of harassment and molestation against Moore.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/12/07/sen-al-franken-takes-dig-trump-moore-resignation-speech/930997001/|title=Sen. Al Franken takes dig at Trump, Moore in resignation speech|date=December 7, 2017|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=December 7, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207222732/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/12/07/sen-al-franken-takes-dig-trump-moore-resignation-speech/930997001/|archive-date=December 7, 2017}}</ref> Franken resigned on January 2, 2018, and Minnesota governor [[Mark Dayton]] appointed the lieutenant governor, [[Tina Smith]], to Franken's seat until [[2018 United States Senate special election in Minnesota|a November 2018 special election]], which Smith won.<ref name="strib-franken-resigns">{{Cite news |url=http://www.startribune.com/transition-time-franken-moves-out-smith-moves-in/467678623/ |title=Transition time: Franken moves out, Smith moves in |last=Rao |first=Maya |date=January 2, 2018 |access-date=January 2, 2018 |website=[[Star Tribune]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102232408/http://www.startribune.com/transition-time-franken-moves-out-smith-moves-in/467678623/ |archive-date=January 2, 2018  }}</ref>

====Aftermath====
After resigning from the Senate, Franken canceled appointments with close friends and ignored phone calls from others. "It got pretty dark, I became clinically depressed. I wasn't a hundred percent cognitively. I needed medication", he said.<ref name="Mayer">{{cite news |last=Mayer |first=Jane |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken |title=The Case of Al Franken |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |date=July 22, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722182057/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=July 22, 2019 }}</ref>

Reporting in 2019 by ''New Yorker'' journalist [[Jane Mayer]] documented substantial inaccuracies in Tweeden's allegations.<ref name="Mayer" /> Seven former or current senators who called for Franken's resignation in 2017 told Mayer they regretted doing so. [[Patrick Leahy]] said calling for Franken's resignation without having all the facts was "one of the biggest mistakes I've made" as a senator. New Mexico senator [[Tom Udall]] said, "I made a mistake. I started having second thoughts shortly after he stepped down. He had the right to be heard by an independent investigative body. I've heard from people around my state, and around the country, saying that they think he got railroaded. It doesn't seem fair. I'm a lawyer. I really believe in due process." Former Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] said, "It's terrible what happened to him. It was unfair. It took the legs out from under him. He was a very fine senator."<ref name="Mayer" />

Accusations that Franken was unfairly pressured to resign were described as a liability to Gillibrand's presidential campaign in mid-2019.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Lisa|last1=Lerer|access-date=September 2, 2019|title=The Gillibrand Test Case for Women in Politics|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/01/us/politics/kirsten-gillibrand-democrats-feminists.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 1, 2019|issn=0362-4331|via=NYTimes.com|archive-date=September 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902000922/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/01/us/politics/kirsten-gillibrand-democrats-feminists.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2018 ''Politico'' article, Franken supporters accused Gillibrand of doing damage that Republicans could not have done, given Franken's effectiveness in the Senate. Prominent Democratic fundraiser Susie Tompkins Buell said that the episode "stained [Gillibrand's] reputation as a fair player. I do hear people refer to Kirsten Gillibrand as 'opportunistic' and shrewd at the expense of others to advance herself, and it seems to have been demonstrated in her rapid treatment of her colleague Al Franken. I heard her referred to as 'She would eat her own,' and she seems to have demonstrated that. I know [Gillibrand] thought she was doing the right thing, but I think she will be remembered by this rush to judgment. I have heard [that] some of her women colleagues regret joining her."<ref>{{cite news|first1=Natasha|last1=Korecki|access-date=May 31, 2020|title=Franken scandal haunts Gillibrand's 2020 chances|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/26/al-franken-kirsten-gillibrand-2020-1014697|website=[[Politico]]|date=November 26, 2018|archive-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530003504/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/26/al-franken-kirsten-gillibrand-2020-1014697|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, Franken said that he was sorry that he made some women feel uncomfortable, and that while he was still trying to understand what he did wrong, he felt that differentiating dissimilar kinds of behavior is important. "The idea that anybody who accuses someone of something is always right—that's not the case. That isn't reality," he said.<ref name="Mayer" />

In September 2019, a ninth accuser told ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine that in 2006 Franken touched her buttock in a photo line at an event for [[Patty Murray]]. The unnamed woman, described as a "former staffer who served on Democratic campaigns and works at a large progressive organization", said she had not come forward because she feared it would be held against her in her career.<ref name="ny-accuser-nine">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thecut.com/2019/09/coming-forward-about-sexual-assault-and-what-comes-after.html |title=Coming Forward About Sexual Assault, and What Comes After |last1=Carmon |first1=Irin |date=September 30, 2019 |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |access-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930191650/https://www.thecut.com/2019/09/coming-forward-about-sexual-assault-and-what-comes-after.html |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |url-status=live |last2=Schonbeck |first2=Amelia |others=Sarah Jones |language=en-us}}</ref> In response, Franken told ''New York'', "Two years ago, I would have sworn that I'd never done anything to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but it's clear that I must have been doing something. As I've said before, I feel terrible that anyone came away from an interaction with me feeling bad."<ref name="thecut-accuser9-franken-response">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thecut.com/2019/09/another-woman-says-al-franken-groped-her.html |title=Another Woman Says Al Franken Groped Her |last=Carmon |first=Irin |date=September 30, 2019 |access-date=September 30, 2019 |url-status=live |language=en-us| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930220642/https://www.thecut.com/2019/09/another-woman-says-al-franken-groped-her.html |archive-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref>

In a February 9, 2022, interview with ''Washington Post Live'', Franken said he regretted resigning from the Senate and might run for public office again.<ref name="Schnell">{{cite news |last=Schnell |first=Mychael |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/593595-al-franken-it-would-be-tempting-to-run-for-office-again/ |title=Al Franken: 'It would be tempting' to run for office again |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=February 10, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-10 }}</ref>

=== Committee assignments ===
In the Senate, Franken served on the following committees:
* [[United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources|Committee on Energy and Natural Resources]]
** [[United States Senate Energy Subcommittee on Energy|Subcommittee on Energy]]
** [[United States Senate Energy Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining|Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining]]
** [[United States Senate Energy Subcommittee on Water and Power|Subcommittee on Water and Power]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions|Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions]]
** [[United States Senate Health Subcommittee on Children and Families|Subcommittee on Children and Families]]
** [[United States Senate Health Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety|Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety]] (Ranking Member)
* [[United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs|Committee on Indian Affairs]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Committee on the Judiciary]]
** [[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts|Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts]]
** [[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights|Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights]]
** [[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights|Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights]]
** [[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law|Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law]] (Ranking Member)

== Post-Senate career ==
After his resignation, Franken went into a period of self-imposed isolation and, in May 2019, started ''The Al Franken Podcast''. Around the same time, Franken went on tour with a non-comedic show that he did from a podium and with notes. In the fall of 2021, his first post-quarantine theater show took place in [[Northampton, Massachusetts]], in front of a friendly audience. The solo show, called ''The Only Former US Senator Currently on Tour Tour'', continued into 2022.<ref name="Sullivan" /> In March 2023, Franken guest-hosted ''[[The Daily Show]]'' after [[Trevor Noah]]'s departure. In 2025, in his first acting role in 27 years, Franken plays a U.S. senator in the Netflix comedy mystery ''[[The Residence (TV series)|The Residence]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellusci |first=Alexandra |date=2025-03-21 |title=Al Franken plays US senator in 'The Residence' years after scandal |url=https://nypost.com/2025/03/21/entertainment/al-franken-plays-us-senator-in-the-residence-years-after-scandal/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kang |first1=Esther |last2=Stern |first2=Abby |date=20 March 2025 |title=Al Franken Reprises Real-Life Role as U.S. Senator in 'The Residence' 7 Years After Resigning amid Scandal (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/al-franken-talks-reprising-real-life-us-senator-role-netflix-the-residence-after-scandal-exclusive-11700694 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Franken met his wife, Franni Bryson, during his first year at Harvard. In 2005 they moved to [[Minneapolis|Minneapolis, Minnesota]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/July-2008/Starring-Al-Franken-as-Himself/ |work=Minnesota Monthly |access-date=January 29, 2013 |title=Starring Al Franken |first=Tim |last=Gihring |date=July 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312144738/http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/July-2008/Starring-Al-Franken-as-Himself/ |archive-date=March 12, 2013  }}</ref> They have a daughter, a son, and four grandchildren.<ref name="Mayer" /> Their daughter, Thomasin,<ref name="The New Yorker" /> has degrees from [[Harvard]] and the [[International Culinary Center|French Culinary Institute]]; as of 2011 she was the director of extended learning at DC Prep, an organization in Washington, D.C., that manages [[charter schools in the United States|charter schools]].<ref name="thomasinfrankenbio">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/fashion/weddings/thomasin-franken-brody-greenwald-weddings.html |title=Thomasin Franken, Brody Greenwald |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 2, 2011 |access-date=August 29, 2014 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025210640/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/fashion/weddings/thomasin-franken-brody-greenwald-weddings.html |archive-date=October 25, 2015  }}</ref> Their son, Joseph, works in the finance industry.<ref name="The New Yorker" /> Franken is a second cousin of the actor [[Steve Franken]], known for his appearances in the television series ''[[The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Steve-Franken--Dobie-Gillis-actor--dead-at-age-80/8792889 |title=Steve Franken, 'Dobie Gillis' Actor, Dead at Age 80 |date=August 30, 2012 |access-date=January 6, 2013 |work=OnTheRedCarpet.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113085432/http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Steve-Franken--Dobie-Gillis-actor--dead-at-age-80/8792889 |archive-date=November 13, 2012  }}</ref>

In the summer of 2021, Franken moved back to New York City, settling on the [[Upper West Side]] of Manhattan.<ref name="Schnell" />

== Bibliography ==
* ''[[I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!: Daily Affirmations By Stuart Smalley]]'' (Random House Publishing Group, 1992) {{ISBN|9780440504702}}
* ''[[Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations]]'' (Delacorte Press, 1996) {{ISBN|0-385-31474-4}}
* ''[[Why Not Me? (novel)|Why Not Me?: The Inside Story of the Making and Unmaking of the Franken Presidency]]'' (Delacorte Press, 1999) {{ISBN|0-385-31809-X}}
* ''[[Oh, the Things I Know!]]: A Guide to Success, or Failing That, Happiness'' (Plume Books, 2003) {{ISBN|0-452-28450-3}}
* ''[[Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them]]: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right'' (Dutton Books, 2003) {{ISBN|0-525-94764-7}}
* ''[[The Truth (With Jokes)]]'' (Dutton Books, 2005) {{ISBN|0-525-94906-2}}
* ''Al Franken, Giant of the Senate'' (Grand Central Publishing, 2017) {{ISBN|1455540412}}

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year
! Work
! Writer
! Actor
! Cameo
! Notes
|-
|-
|1975–1980
|''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|Writer: 1975–1980<br>Featured player: 1979–80
|-
|1976
|''[[Tunnel Vision (1976 film)|Tunnel Vision]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|Role: Al
|-
|1977
|''The Paul Simon Special''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|-
|1978
|''[[All You Need is Cash]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|Role: Extra
|-
|1981
|''[[Grateful Dead: Dead Ahead]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|Concert video<br />Role: Host
|-
|1981
|''Steve Martin's Best Show Ever''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|-
|1981
|''Bob and Ray, Jane, Laraine and Gilda''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|-
|1981
|''[[The Coneheads]]''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|-
|1983
|''[[Trading Places]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|Role: Baggage handler
|-
|1984
|''Franken and Davis at Stockton State''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|-
|1984
|''[[The New Show]]''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|-
|1985–1995
|''Saturday Night Live''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|Writer: 1985–1995<br>Producer: 1985–86<br>Writing Supervisor: 1988–1990<br>Co-producer: 1990–1992<br>Featured player: 1988–1995
|-
|1986
|''[[One More Saturday Night (film)|One More Saturday Night]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|Role: Paul Flum
|-
|1993
|''[[Coneheads (film)|Coneheads]]''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|-
|1994
|''[[When a Man Loves a Woman (film)|When a Man Loves a Woman]]''
|{{yes}}
|
|
|
|-
|1995
|''[[Stuart Saves His Family]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|Role: Stuart Smalley
|-
|1997
|''[[3rd Rock from the Sun]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|Episode: "Dick the Vote"
|-
|1997
|''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]''
|
|
|{{yes}}
|Episode: "The Roast"
|-
|1998–1999
|''[[LateLine]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|1998
|''[[From the Earth to the Moon (miniseries)|From the Earth to the Moon]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|TV miniseries<br />Role: [[Jerome Wiesner]]
|-
|2001
|''[[Harvard Man]]''
|
|
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|2004
|''[[Outfoxed]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|Role: Air America host
|-
|2004
|''[[The Manchurian Candidate (2004 film)|The Manchurian Candidate]]''
|
|
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|2004–2007
|''[[The Al Franken Show]]''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|Host of radio talk show
|-
|2004
|''[[Tanner on Tanner]]''
|
|
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|2006
|''[[Al Franken: God Spoke]]''
|
|
|{{yes}}
|Documentary
|-
|2011
|''[[Hot Coffee (film)|Hot Coffee]]''
|
|
|{{yes}}
|Documentary
|-
|2017
|''[[Long Strange Trip]]''
|
|
|{{yes}}
|Documentary, as himself
|-
|2020
|''The Al Franken Podcast''
|{{yes}}
|{{yes}}
|
|Podcast, as himself
|-
|2022
|''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''
|
|
|
|Guest host
|-
|2023
|''[[The Daily Show]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Daily Show Guest Host Lineup |url=https://www.cc.com/topic/the-daily-show-guest-hosts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127133615/https://www.cc.com/topic/the-daily-show-guest-hosts |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=Comedy Central |language=en}}</ref>
|
|
|
|Guest host
|-
|2025
|''[[The Residence (TV series)]]''
|
|{{yes}}
|
|Role: Aaron Filkins, senior Senator from Washington
|}

== Electoral history ==

===2008===
{{Election box open primary begin no change | title=[[2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota|2008 Minnesota U.S. Senate election]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2008/2008-primary-election-results/|website=Minnesota Secretary of State|title=2008 Primary Election Results|access-date=March 8, 2021|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126104907/https://sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2008/2008-primary-election-results/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=MNSOS>{{cite web |url=http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/recount_summary_with_ab.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090121144412/http://www.sos.state.mn.us/docs/recount_summary_with_ab.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 21, 2009 |title=General Election Results |publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State |date=January 5, 2009 | access-date =January 6, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20081104/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&R=all&P=A&Races=%27%27 |title=Election Reporting |publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State |date=April 10, 2009 | access-date = April 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120032829/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20081104/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&R=all&P=A&Races=%27%27 |archive-date=November 20, 2008 }}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = Al Franken
 |votes = 164,136
 |percentage = 65.34
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = [[Priscilla Lord]]
 |votes = 74,655
 |percentage = 29.72
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = Dick Franson
 |votes = 3,923
 |percentage = 1.56
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = Bob Larson
 |votes = 3,152
 |percentage = 1.25
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = Rob Fitzgerald
 |votes = 3,095
 |percentage = 1.23
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = Ole Savior
 |votes = 1,227
 |percentage = 0.49
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = Alve Erickson
 |votes = 1,017
 |percentage = 0.40
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 251,205
  |percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = Al Franken
 |votes = 1,212,629
 |percentage = 41.994
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party of Minnesota
 |candidate = [[Norm Coleman]] (incumbent)
 |votes = 1,212,317
 |percentage = 41.983
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Independence Party of Minnesota
 |candidate = [[Dean Barkley]]
 |votes = 437,505
 |percentage = 15.151
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Libertarian Party (United States)
 |candidate = [[Charles Aldrich (Libertarian)|Charles Aldrich]]
 |votes = 13,923
 |percentage = 0.482
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Constitution Party (United States)
 |candidate = James Niemackl
 |votes = 8,907
 |percentage = 0.308
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
 |votes = 2,365
 |percentage = 0.082
}}
{{Election box margin of victory no change
  |votes      = 312
  |percentage = 0.011
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 2,887,646
  |percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no swing
  |winner     = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
  |loser      = Republican Party of Minnesota
}}
{{Election box end}}

===2014===
{{Election box open primary begin no change | title=[[2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota|2014 Minnesota U.S. Senate election]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2014/2014-primary-election-results/|website=Minnesota Secretary of State|title=2014 Primary Election Results|access-date=March 8, 2021|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126113855/https://sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2014/2014-primary-election-results/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/USSenate/20?officeInElectionId=5382 |title=Statewide Results for U.S. Senator |publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State |access-date=December 19, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225184614/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/USSenate/20?officeInElectionId=5382 |archive-date=December 25, 2014  }}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = Al Franken
 |votes = 182,720
 |percentage = 94.50
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
 |candidate = Sandra Henningsgard
 |votes = 10,627
 |percentage = 5.50
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 193,347
  |percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
  |candidate  = Al Franken (incumbent)
  |votes      = 1,053,205
  |percentage = 53.15
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[Mike McFadden]]
  |votes      = 850,227
  |percentage = 42.91
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party      = Independence Party of Minnesota
 |candidate  = Steve Carlson
 |votes      = 47,530
 |percentage = 2.40
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Heather Johnson
  |votes      = 29,685
  |percentage = 1.50
  }}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
  |votes      = 881
  |percentage = 0.04
}}
{{Election box margin of victory no change
  |votes      = 202,978
  |percentage = 10.24
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 1,981,528
  |percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  |winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}

== See also ==
* [[Saturday Night Live cast members|''Saturday Night Live'' cast members]]
*[[List of Harvard University politicians]]
* [[List of Jewish members of the United States Congress]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|d=Q319084|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|c=category:Al Franken|m=no|mw=no|species=no|wikt=no}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180224162528/https://www.alfranken.com/ alfranken.com], the website of Franken's, or made on behalf of him, as archived by the [[Wayback Machine]] on February 24, 2018
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180106013805/https://www.franken.senate.gov/ Franken's previous U.S. Senate website] as archived by the Wayback Machine on January 6, 2018
* {{CongLinks | congbio=F000457 | votesmart=108924 | fec=S8MN00438 | congress=al-franken/1969 }}
* {{C-SPAN|23334}}
* {{IMDb name|0291253}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-media}}
{{s-bef|before=Andrew Smith}}
{{s-ttl|rows=2|title=[[List of Saturday Night Live writers|Head Writer of ''Saturday Night Live'']] |years=1985–1986|alongside=[[Tom Davis (comedian)|Tom Davis]]}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Jim Downey (comedian)|Jim Downey]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Bob Tischler]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Walter Mondale]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] from [[Minnesota]]<br>([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 2]])|years=[[2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota|2008]], [[2014 United States Senate election in Minnesota|2014]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Tina Smith]]}}
|-
{{s-par|us-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Norm Coleman]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States senators from Minnesota|U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Minnesota]]|alongside=[[Amy Klobuchar]]|years=2009–2018}}
{{s-aft|after=Tina Smith}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Pete Wilson]]|as=Former U.S. Senator}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Ensign]]|as=Former U.S. Senator}}
{{s-end}}

{{Al Franken}}
{{United States senators from Minnesota}}
{{USCongRep-start |congresses=111th–115th [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[United States congressional delegations from Minnesota|Minnesota]]}}
{{USCongRep/MN/111}}
{{USCongRep/MN/112}}
{{USCongRep/MN/113}}
{{USCongRep/MN/114}}
{{USCongRep/MN/115}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Al Franken
|list =
{{EmmyAward ComedyVarietyMusicWriting 1970s}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyVarietyMusicWriting 1980s}}
{{EmmyAward VarietySpecialWriting}}
{{Evelyn F. Burkey Award}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album 2000s}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Franken, Al}}
[[Category:Al Franken|*]]
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century people from Minnesota]]
[[Category:20th-century people from New York (state)]] 
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Minnesota politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century people from New York (state)]]
[[Category:21st-century United States senators]]
[[Category:American actor-politicians]]
[[Category:American comedy writers]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television writers]]
[[Category:American people of Belarusian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of German-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American political commentators]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American satirists]]
[[Category:American sketch comedians]]
[[Category:American talk radio hosts]]
[[Category:American television writers]]
[[Category:Comedians from Minneapolis]]
[[Category:Comedians from New York City]]
[[Category:Democratic Party United States senators from Minnesota]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Harvard College alumni]]
[[Category:Jewish American comedians]]
[[Category:Jewish American comedy writers]]
[[Category:Jewish American male actors]]
[[Category:Jewish American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Jewish American people in Minnesota politics]]
[[Category:Jewish American screenwriters]]
[[Category:Jewish male comedians]]
[[Category:Jewish United States senators]]
[[Category:Jews from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Male actors from Minneapolis]]
[[Category:Male actors from New York City]]
[[Category:People from St. Louis Park, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Politicians from Albert Lea, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Politicians from Minneapolis]]
[[Category:Politicians from New York City]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Minnesota]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Television producers from Minnesota]]
[[Category:Television producers from New York City]]
[[Category:Writers from Manhattan]]
[[Category:Writers from Minneapolis]]