Democratic Donor Rethinking Support After Ousting Of Al Franken

A major Democratic donor is contemplating withdrawing her support for the senators who called for their colleague Al Franken to resign following numerous sexual assault allegations. Susie Tompkins Buell has given millions to liberal causes and has backed Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren and Maria Cantwell.

Gillibrand, Warren, Cantwell were among the Democrats who called for Franken to resign in December; Buell believes they were too hasty. She told Buzzfeed it was "unfair" and "cavalier" of the senators to push Franken out.

The Minnesota Democrat resigned Jan. 2. Franken had been accused of sexual misconduct by at least six women leading up to his decision to leave office. Their claims ranged from groping to unwanted touching to forcible kissing. Gov. Mark Dayton appointed former Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to his seat in the Senate.

"For me this is dangerous and wrong," Buell told The New York Times. "I am a big believer in helping more women into the political system but this has given me an opportunity to rethink of how I can best help my party."

“As for Gillibrand, unfortunately, I believe she miscalculated and has shot herself in the foot,” Buell, of San Francisco, told the newspaper. “I have supported her for many years. Will I going forward? To be determined.”

In her Dec. 6 Facebook post calling for Franken's resignation, Gillibrand said she believed the women who made accusations against Franken but said their allegations are "not the same as the criminal conduct alleged against Roy Moore, or Harvey Weinstein, or President Trump."

Photo credit: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, N.Y., waves after arriving at the Delancey Street Foundation to attend a Kerry-Edwards fundraiser in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 15, 2004. Walking with Clinton are Mark Buell, center, and his wife, Susie Tompkins Buell, right, both Democratic party fundraisers and activists. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)