Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) announced on Thursday that he will be resigning from the Senate "in the coming weeks" after eight women came forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct. While Franken declined to give a specific timetable on his departure from the Senate, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (DFL) said that he will be appointing Franken's replacement in the "next couple of days."
NEW: MN Gov. Mark Dayton on Sen. Al Franken's resignation announcement: "I have not yet decided on my appointment to fill this upcoming vacancy. I expect to make and announce my decision in the next couple of days." https://t.co/HgnJl4reuN pic.twitter.com/t1dCfQxR2V
— ABC News (@ABC) December 7, 2017
The text of Dayton's statement:
“I extend my deepest regrets to the women, who have had to endure their unwanted experiences with Senator Franken. As a personal friend, my heart also goes out to Al and his family during this difficult time.
“In other respects, Al Franken has been an outstanding Senator. He has been, as Senator Paul Wellstone used to say, ‘A Senator from the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party.’ He is very smart, very hard-working, and very committed to Minnesota. I wish him well in his future endeavors.
“Events have unfolded quickly; thus, I have not yet decided on my appointment to fill this upcoming vacancy. I expect to make and announce my decision in the next couple of days.
“I will have no further comments on this subject until that time.”
Rumored potential candidates include Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN). If Ellision were to be appointed, he would be the first Muslim member of the Senate. The replacement will serve until the 2018 elections.
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