Seriously.
Former Minnesota senator and SNL comedian Al Franken (who resigned in 2017 after being accused of sexual misconduct by several women) is trying to help his former top staffer get elected to the New York Congress. .
Josh, who served as Mr. Franken’s general counsel as Mr. Franken looks forward to a rematch with first-term Republican incumbent Mark Molinaro in the 19th congressional district, which includes the Central Hudson Valley and Southern Tier.・We are doing a lot of fundraising activities to support Mr. Riley.
Since May, Democrats on the fundraising list have received 16 electronic letters from Mr. Franken through groups that support Mr. Riley, including one on Sunday. include.
“This is why I support Josh and why you should too!” Franken wrote.
“Josh knows policy issues inside and out. Josh and I did a good job together when he was my adviser on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence and so on,” he boasted, adding that he and Riley “included provisions to protect victims of domestic violence” in the Violence Against Women Act. homeless state. ”
Franken called on his supporters to split $10 between the Voter Protection Project and “my friend Josh Riley to help him win one of the most important races in the country in 2024.” there is
Prior to his resignation as a senator, one person said: Among the women who accused Franken of cheating, a former radio host and Playboy model was also included. Leanne Tweedenwho claimed to he Forcing an unwanted kiss while rehearsing a USO tour skit, and pretending to grab her breasts during a photo shoot while she was asleep.
One of the women who accused Franken of cheating was former radio host and Playboy model LeeAnne Tweeden.
She claimed that Franken forced her into an unwanted kiss during a skit rehearsal during the USO tour and pretended to grab her breasts during a photo shoot while she was sleeping.
Franken, 72, apologized for his eerie behavior in the offensive photo and said he meant it as a joke. But he has denied her abuse of women, and she later said she regretted her resignation.
Two Democratic senators from New York, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, are among those who have called for his resignation most forcefully.
Molinaro and other Republicans staged a big campaign after hearing that Franken was playing a role as a funder in Reilly’s campaign.
“It’s strange that Josh Riley would raise funds with a disgraced former senator who was forced out of office by a party led by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. is a Washington D.C. attorney and a Washington insider,” said David Catalfamo, Molinaro’s campaign adviser.
“Al Franken had to resign from the Senate because of his abuse of women,” state Republican Party chairman Ed Cox said.
Mr. Cox scoffed at the decision, which Mr. Riley, who mentioned working for Mr. Franken in his campaign career, did not name his former boss as one of his supporters.
“Franken is embarrassed. He doesn’t want to see Franken, but his money is readily accepted,” Cox said.
The Riley campaign declined to comment. Franken could not immediately be reached for comment.
“Franken is embarrassed. He doesn’t want to see Franken, but his money is readily accepted,” he said.
Molinaro beat Riley by about two points last year.
According to his website, Mr. Franken now hosts the Al Franken Podcast and has his own political action committee, the Midwest Values PAC, which supports Democrats and ” “Other non-political good things are supported.”
