MINNEAPOLIS – Rosie O’Donnell is getting involved in the race to fill former Sen. Al Franken’s seat, throwing her support behind Democratic candidate Richard Painter.
Painter, a former Republican who served as the chief ethics lawyer for the George W. Bush administration, made the announcement Monday that he would be running for Senate as a Democrat. Painter has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, and has frequently called for Trump’s impeachment.
O’Donnell was quick to endorse Painter, asking on Twitter how she could “max out” her donations to Painter.
how can i max out to you richard – send a link out to us all – i cheer u every day when u r on – truth teller #painter
— ROSIE (@Rosie) April 30, 2018
O’Donnell followed up by tweeting out Painter’s website saying she “contributed to the fight for our democracy” and encouraged her 1.1 million Twitter followers to do the same.
I contributed to the fight for our democracy by donating to the Richard Painter campaign! #PeopleForPainter #CountryOverParty https://t.co/Zi7JoHKldR
— ROSIE (@Rosie) April 30, 2018
Before Painter will be on the ballot in November he will have to face Sen. Tina Smith, Gov. Mark Dayton’s temporary replacement for Franken. Painter will face off against Smith in the party primary in August. O’Donnell has also previously tweeted about donating to Smith’s campaign.
Painter’s decision to challenge Smith has cause some concern among Democrats who want a unified stance going into the midterms. Painter has dismissed the concerns, saying he will not attack Smith. However, in an interview on MSNBC Monday, Painter questioned if Smith was tough enough on the president, saying she should be “a lot stronger against President Trump.”
“She should have come out against his trade war, which is going to destroy agriculture in our state,” Painter said on MSNBC. “She should call for his removal from office, quite frankly, because he is not showing that he can conduct himself as president in accordance with the Constitution.”
Painter raised eyebrows earlier this week when he refused to say whether or not he believes the eight women who accused Franken of sexual assault. In an interview on MSNBC, Painter stood by Franken, saying there should have been an investigation before the senator resigned. Painter has previously questioned whether the allegations against Franken were a “Roger Stone/Fox set up job.”
