- The Washington Times - Wednesday, December 6, 2017

A liberal columnist accused Sen. Al Franken of sexual harassment on Wednesday saying he groped her at a party in 2009.

Tina Dupuy, a former communications director for Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson, wrote in her column in the Atlantic that she had attended an event host by Media Matters — a left-leaning organization — in 2009 after the inauguration of former President Barack Obama. She saw Mr. Franken, Minnesota Democrat, at the party and asked for a photo.

Similar to other accusers’ stories, Ms. Dupuy wrote in her article that Mr. Franken squeezed her *waist, in a way she claims was uncomfortable, while taking the picture.

“It shrunk me. It’s like I was no longer a person, only ornamental,” Ms. Dupuy wrote.

She is the eight woman to accuse Mr. Franken of sexual misconduct, but one of the few to say the incident occurred while he was in the Senate.

Earlier in the day, several Democratic lawmakers called on the Minnesota senator to resign saying that the number of accusations, and credibility of the claims, led them to believe they were true. 

Mr. Franken’s office said he intends to make an announcement about his plans on Thursday.

* Correction: Ms. Dupuy wrote in her article that Mr. Franken squeezed her waist, not her buttocks as the original version of this article said. The article has been updated.

• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.

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