Al Franken Announces When He Will Resign From The Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Al Franken's office says he will resign from the United States Senate Jan. 2, 2018. Amid a slew of sexual misconduct allegations against him and facing calls from members in his own party asking him to step down, Franken announced Dec. 7 he would resign.

Lt. Gov. Tina Smith will be sworn into the Senate the following day, Minnesota Public Radio reported. Smith will resign as Lt. Gov. prior to being sworn into office.

Smith will be appointed to serve a one-year term in the Senate, concluding in January 2019. Minnesotans will choose a Senator to serve the remainder of the term being vacated by Franken in a special election to be held on Nov. 6, 2018.

Also read: Tina Smith, Minnesota's New Senator Replacing Franken: 5 Things

Photo credit: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite