Sep 14, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Al Franken on return to politics: "I’m keeping my options open"

Alex Gibney and Al Franken

Alex Gibney (left) and Al Franken. Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) didn't rule out running for public office again in an interview with Masslive.com Monday.

Flashback: The former "Saturday Night Live" star resigned from the Senate in 2017, after seven women accused him of sexual misconduct and more than 30 of his Democratic Senate colleagues called for his resignation.

What he's saying: "I’m keeping my options open, right now my focus is on doing this [tour] and doing other stuff that is more politically blatant," Franken said.

  • "Well, I wanted due process, but I had 36 colleagues and a majority leader who wouldn’t give it to me, so it was impossible. But you do have some regrets. It was a very weird, tough situation at that moment," he continued.
  • “I love the Senate. I love the work that I did."

Of note: Franken has returned to comedy and will begin a standup show starting on Sept. 18, per MassLive.

  • Prior to running for office, Franken worked for "SNL" for 10 years.
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