Before facing accusations of sexual misconduct on Thursday, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., was all set to headline a fundraiser for Sen. Bill Nelson’s, D-Fla., re-election campaign this weekend. But by the afternoon, Franken had mysteriously become unavailable to attend the event.
A Nelson campaign spokesman confirmed to the Palm Beach Post that Franken “is no longer available” to appear as the special guest at the fundraiser slated for Saturday. The event, set to take place at the home of Alex Sink, a former state chief financial officer and Democratic nominee for governor, is scheduled to proceed as planned.
Franken’s leadership PAC has also contributed $10,000 to the Nelson campaign this election cycle. While the Florida Democrat has called for an ethics investigation into the accusations against Franken, unlike several of his colleagues he does not appear to have committed to returning the campaign donation.
Amid photographic evidence that Franken groped the breasts of a news anchor while she slept and an allegation he forced himself on her during rehearsal for a comedy skit, Democrats have begun distancing themselves from the senator. Many have condemned his behavior, returned or donated campaign contributions from his PAC, and joined the calls for an ethics investigation. Franken has since apologized and agreed to cooperate with an investigation.
His sudden unavailability to attend the Nelson event suggests Democrats expect any future associations with Franken would be toxic.
