MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on Wisconsin reaction to Sen. Al Franken allegations (all times local):
2:55 p.m.
Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin says she is donating $20,000 her campaign received from Minnesota Sen. Al Franken’s political action committee to a group benefiting women veterans in the state.
Baldwin Thursday joined with other Democrats in distancing themselves from Franken amid allegations that he forcibly kissed a woman in 2006. Franken also posted for a photo with his hands on her breasts as she slept.
Baldwin said on MSNBC that “this type of behavior isn’t acceptable whether it’s from a Democrat or a Republican or an independent.”
Baldwin is up for re-election in 2018.
Democratic congressional candidate Randy Bryce was also donating $1,500 he got from Franken to local charities. Bryce is challenging Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan.
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1:55 p.m.
Wisconsin Democratic congressional candidate Randy Bryce is donating the $1,500 in campaign contributions he received from Minnesota Sen. Al Franken’s political action committee.
Republicans had called on Bryce and Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin to return money from Franken amid allegations that he forcibly kissed a woman in 2006. He also posted for a photo with his hands on her breasts as she slept.
A spokeswoman for the group supporting Democrats running for Congress says all Democratic House challengers were donating money they received from Franken to local charities.
Bryce’s campaign referenced the quote when asked about donations he received but did not immediately say which charity would receive the $1,500.
Baldwin has not responded to questions about whether she will keep the $15,000 she got from Franken.
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12 p.m.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin says she is glad Minnesota Democratic Sen. Al Franken immediately apologized amid allegations he forcibly kissed a woman in 2006 and posed for a photo with his hands on her breasts as she slept.
Baldwin said Thursday, “This kind of behavior isn’t OK whether it’s a Republican or a Democrat and I support an Ethics Committee investigation.”
Republican state Sen. Leah Vukmir is running for Baldwin’s Senate seat. Her campaign manager Jess Ward says the charges against Franken should be investigated.
Groups working to get Republicans elected to Congress called on Baldwin to return $15,000 in donations she received from Franken’s political action committee and for Democratic candidate Randy Bryce to return $1,500.
Bryce is running against House Speaker Paul Ryan.
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