Al Franken

MPR Photo/Mark Zdechlik

Election Coverage from MPR

Minn. Senate candidates tally most campaign funds in '08

The candidates for U.S. Senate in Minnesota have raised more money for their race so far than in any other Senate race in the country in 2008. (04/20/2008)

Franken's corporation faces unpaid taxes in Calif.

Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken's personal corporation didn't file corporate income tax returns in California from 2003 to 2007. (04/16/2008)

Franken challenges Coleman on the economy

DFLer Al Franken is ripping Sen. Norm Coleman for wanting to make the Bush tax cuts permanent for the wealthiest Americans. Coleman says raising taxes on anyone right now would be bad for the economy. (04/14/2008)

Meet the Candidates: DFL Senate candidate Al Franken

DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken answers questions about the Iraq war, the economy and other key issues facing Congress. (Midday, 04/11/2008)

Coleman and Franken disagree over what campaign should be about

Republican Norm Coleman and DFLer Al Franken are each trying to set the agenda for the 2008 Senate campaign. (04/06/2008)

Franken holds Capitol event, challenges Coleman's record

Senator Norm Coleman officially launches his re-election campaign tomorrow. At a state Capitol rally this morning, DFL challenger Al Franken attacked Coleman's record in the Senate. (03/25/2008)

Pro-Coleman ad sparks debate over bridge collapse

A new TV ad promoting Sen. Norm Coleman is drawing criticism for its use of the I-35W bridge collapse. (03/19/2008)

Franken to appear on Letterman's 'Late Show'

Franken spokesman says being on with Letterman should help attract campaign contributions. (03/17/2008)

Franken says he is now free to target Coleman

Analysts say Al Franken can focus on Republican incumbent Norm Coleman, now that fellow DFLer Mike Ciresi is out of the U.S. Senate race. (03/11/2008)

Ciresi quits U.S. Senate race

With attorney Mike Ciresi out of the US Senate race, some political analysts say comedian and author Al Franken can focus more attention on the general election. (03/10/2008)

Candidate snapshot

Party: DFL

Biography

Date of Birth: 05/21/1951

Place of Birth: New York, N.Y.

Education: BA, General Studies, Harvard University, 1973

Positions Held: Founder, Midwest Values PAC

Business/Professional Experience: Host, The O'Franken Factor, Air America Radio, 2004 -2006; Served as a Fellow with Harvard's Kennedy School of Government at the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy, 2003; Writer, Saturday Night Live, 1973-1980, 1985-1995

Religion: Jewish

Resources

Official campaign site

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