Al Franken

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Former Republican White House lawyer in President George W. Bush's administration Richard Painter announces his candidacy for U.S. Senate as a Democrat in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, April 30, 2018. Explaining his party swap, Painter said it's clear to him there's no space for a Republican who opposes the president. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP)

Richard Painter, prominent Trump critic, to run for former Sen. Al Franken’s seat

Associated Press

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. speaks at the 2014 Values Voter Summit in Washington, Friday, Sept. 26, 2014. Prospective Republican presidential candidates are promoting religious liberty at home and abroad at a gathering of evangelical conservatives, rebuking an unpopular President Barack Obama while skirting divisive social issues that have tripped up the GOP. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Michele Bachmann rules out Senate run for Al Franken seat

Associated Press

Holding hands with her husband Archie, former Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith enters the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, to be administered the Senate oath of office on Capitol Hill in Washington. Smith was appointed to replace Sen. Al Franken, who resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP) ** FILE **

Tina Smith defends Al Franken’s decision to step down

By Sally Persons - The Washington Times

Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., listens as Vice President Mike Pence, right, administers the Senate oath of office during a mock swearing in ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Doug Jones, Tina Smith sworn into the Senate; Republicans hold 51-seat majority

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

In this Jan. 10, 2015, file photo, then-Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith speaks in St. Paul, Minn. Tina Smith, who was appointed to replace Al Franken following his resignation over accusations of sexual misconduct was sworn in on Jan. 3, 2018. (Aaron Lavinsky /Star Tribune via AP, File) **FILE**

Minnesota’s Smith to join Senate after Franken’s resignation

Associated Press

In this Dec. 28, 2017, file photo, then-outgoing U.S. Sen. Al Franken speaks about his accomplishments and thanks his team in Minneapolis, as his eight years in the Senate are set to come to an end soon. (Glen Stubbe /Star Tribune via AP, File)

Franken’s exit will set stage for Smith to join Senate

Associated Press

Michele Bachmann, Minnesota Republican, speaks at the 2014 Values Voter Summit in Washington on Sept. 26, 2014. (Associated Press) **FILE**

Michele Bachmann considers run for Al Franken’s Senate seat

By Jessica Chasmar - The Washington Times

Franken says he’s leaving Senate but not giving up voice

Associated Press

To resign or "unresign?" That is the question for Sen. Al Franken who is now being asked by fellow Democrats to not resign following allegations of sexual misconduct made against him. (Associated Press)

Al Franken to make a series of speeches on the Senate floor prior to resigning

By Sally Persons - The Washington Times

Al Franken to officially leave US Senate seat on Jan. 2

Associated Press

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., center, walks to his car as he leaves the Capitol after speaking on the Senate floor, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Franken said he will resign from the Senate in coming weeks following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations and a collapse of support from his Democratic colleagues, a swift political fall for a once-rising Democratic star. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Sen. Leahy regrets calling for Franken’s resignation

Associated Press

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) ** FILE **

Joe Manchin calls Democrats ‘hypocritical’ for treatment of Al Franken

By Sally Persons - The Washington Times

Vermont Patrick Leahy questions judicial nominees during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Nov. 15, 2017. (Image: YouTube, Washington Free Beacon)

Dem Senators Regret Calling For Franken’s Resignation

By Larry O'Connor - The Washington Times

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton listens to Lt. Gov. Tina Smith during a news conference, as she was named to replace fellow Democrat Al Franken in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 in St. Paul, Minn. Franken announced his resignation last week amid growing sexual misconduct allegations. (Brian Peterson/Star Tribune via AP)

Franken confirms handover to Smith in early January

Associated Press

Al Franken attends a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Franken, soon-to-be-gone, but back at Senate job

By MATTHEW DALY - Associated Press

FILE- In this April 7, 2017, file photo, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton listens to a question from the media Friday, April 7, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. Dayton was set to appoint a replacement Wednesday, Dec. 13, for Sen. Al Franken amid pressure to choose someone who could keep the seat in Democratic hands in a special election next November. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

The Latest: Franken praises Smith; still no date to leave

Associated Press

FILE- In this April 7, 2017, file photo, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton listens to a question from the media Friday, April 7, 2017, in St. Paul, Minn. Dayton was set to appoint a replacement Wednesday, Dec. 13, for Sen. Al Franken amid pressure to choose someone who could keep the seat in Democratic hands in a special election next November. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith named to fill Franken seat

By KYLE POTTER - Associated Press

Minnesota governor to name Franken’s replacement Wednesday

By KYLE POTTER - Associated Press

Al Franken attends a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Franken back at Senate job despite soon-to-be-gone status

By MATTHEW DALY - Associated Press