Al Franken

MPR Photo/Mark Zdechlik

Election Coverage from MPR

"Super Saturday" approaches

On Saturday DFL activists will meet at more than 30 county and senate district conventions. They'll choose delegates to the state convention who will vote in June to endorse a U.S. Senate candidate. (03/07/2008)

Coleman campaign ramps up behind the scenes

Republican Norm Coleman could be in for the race of his political life this fall as he seeks a second term in the U.S. Senate. (03/03/2008)

Coleman campaign apologizes for newspaper editorials

Republican Sen. Norm Coleman's re-election campaign is apologizing to two Minnesota newspapers for two nearly identical letters to the editor that ended up published under two different names. The campaign acknowledges a staffer was behind the letters. (02/27/2008)

Ciresi: 'I'm more electable than Franken'

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Ciresi trails behind comedian-turned candidate Al Franken for the party's nomination. He hopes to convince DFL delegates that Franken can't win against incumbent Republican Norm Coleman. (02/11/2008)

DFL Senate candidates take first step in nomination process

The caucuses were the first step toward endorsing a DFL candidate for the U.S. Senate to run against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. (02/06/2008)

DFL Senate candidates agree and disagree

The three candidates competing for the DFL endorsement for U.S. Senate had one final chance today to reach voters before Tuesday night's caucuses. They took part in a live debate on Minnesota Public Radio. One of them will face Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in November. (02/05/2008)

Poll: Franken popular with DFLers, but many undecided

A new Minnesota Public Radio News/Humphrey Institute Poll indicates DFL Senate hopeful Al Franken poses a tougher re-election threat to Republican Sen. Norm Coleman than any of the other Democrats who want Coleman's job. (02/01/2008)

DFL Senate candidate debate

On the day of the Minnesota caucuses, Gary Eichten hosts DFL U.S. Senate candidates Mike Ciresi, Al Franken, and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer in a live debate. (Midday, 02/01/2008)

Senate candidates work to get out supporters

For Minnesota's DFL Senate hopefuls, the state precinct caucuses are an important first step in lining up state convention support. (01/29/2008)

Senate candidates learn the pitfalls of online politics

Many candidates are now trying to use social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook to recruit volunteers, communicate with supporters and get their messages out online. (01/24/2008)

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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