WASHINGTON D.C. — Another popular name in Minnesota is gaining traction as a potential candidate for the 2020 presidential race – and no, it’s not Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
According to The Hill, Klobuchar colleague and Minnesota Junior Sen. Al Franken could be “talked into” running for the White House.
The former Saturday Night Live funny man first entered Minnesota’s political scene in 2008 to run and ultimately win against Republican incumbent now former Sen. Norm Coleman.
Since his initial start, Franken’s Hollywood status has given him a political jumpstart within the Democratic Party.
Though a Franken spokesperson told The Hill to count the senator out, R.T Rybak also told the publication that he shouldn’t be “ruled out.”
The rumors about a 2020 run from Franken have been around for quite some time.
In February 2017, GoMN detailed some of the chatter surrounding a Franken candidacy from CNN’s Chris Cillizza and National Journal Sunday’s Josh Kraushaar.
In May, Huffington Post also played around with the idea of Franken becoming president. Though, Franken told the Huffington Post that he would never run for president, it is not stopping the rumor mills.
Franken has fanned the flames to some extent when he did not answer whether he would support Klobuchar for president.
In May, The Hill reports Franken offered “effusive praise” for Klobuchar but did not say he would support her.
Franken and Klobuchar have been fan favorites as potential presidential candidates mainly due to their direct opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration.
Currently, Klobuchar holds a 59 percent approval rating, while Franken has a 56 percent approval rating, according to a Morning Consult poll conducted in July. The approval ratings for both senators have decreased since another Morning Consult poll conducted in April found Klobuchar and Franken to have approval ratings at 63 percent and 59 percent respectively.
Preya Samsundar
Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.
