Al Franken on future political bid: 'I'm ruling it out'

Former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) says he's closing the door on running for public office again. "I don't think I'll be running again," the "Saturday Night Live" writer and performer-turned-lawmaker told The Hill in a recent interview focused on his role in the forthcoming Netflix series, "The Residence." When asked if he was ruling out a future...

Mar 19, 2025 - 18:10

Al Franken on future political bid: 'I'm ruling it out'

Former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) says he's closing the door on running for public office again.

"I don't think I'll be running again," the "Saturday Night Live" writer and performer-turned-lawmaker told The Hill in a recent interview focused on his role in the forthcoming Netflix series, "The Residence."

When asked if he was ruling out a future political bid, Franken said, "I'm not ruling it —," before briefly pausing.

"I'm ruling it out, yeah," he said.

The 73-year-old comedian resigned in 2018 amid a pressure campaign from his Senate colleagues after allegations of sexual misconduct. Franken denied the accusations and has said in the past that he regretted resigning.

In 2021, Franken said he was keeping his "options open" as far as any future political bid. He said in 2022 that “it would be tempting” to run for office again.

Last month, Franken indicated that he wasn't eyeing a return to the upper chamber after Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced she wouldn't seek reelection in 2026.

“I look forward to supporting the candidate we nominate to work on behalf of Minnesotans in Washington,” Franken said in a social media post.