WASHINGTON – Sen. Al Franken on Friday joined a growing list of Democratic lawmakers in giving away campaign contributions from embattled Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein to charity.
Franken's office said he would give the donations to the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center.
The move comes the day after the New York Times reported that Weinstein, a major Democratic donor and high-profile Hollywood figure, had been sexually harassing women for decades. National Republicans quickly called on Democrats, including Franken, to give away what they called "dirty Harvey Weinstein cash."
The Minnesota GOP echoed those calls, demanding that Franken return about $20,000 in donations he received from Weinstein. Half of those went directly to Franken's campaign account; the other half went to his Midwest Values PAC.
"Unless Minnesota Democrat Al Franken insists on living the high life off a donor with a pattern of sexually harassing female co-workers and employees, [he needs] to return this dirty money immediately," GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said in a statement. "At this point he at least has the opportunity to follow the lead of other Senate Democrats in returning these tainted funds."
So far, other Democrats returning Weinstein contributions include Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Kristin Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer of New York, Corey Booker of New Jersey, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico.
Maya Rao • 612-673-4210
