The president of one of the largest pro-abortion political action committees in the country called disgraced former Sen. Al Franken (D., Minn.) a "phenomenal senator" on Wednesday and said that his resignation earlier this month was "admirable."
Stephanie Schriock, who leads EMILY's List, which helps elect pro-choice female Democrats to office, appeared on Politico's "Women Rule" podcast to discuss women getting involved in the political process by running in the 2018 midterm elections.
"You ran Senator Al Franken's 2008 campaign and have been close with him—it's well known," Politico's Anna Palmer said. "You recently said that he did the right thing by stepping down. Explain what you meant by that."
"As I've said and believe, I think Senator Al Franken has been a phenomenal senator for the state of Minnesota and he cares deeply about Minnesota," Schriock said. "When the moment came where dozens of his colleagues stood up and said enough is enough, and he realized he could not do his job anymore for the people, he was going to do the right thing and that's what he did."
Franken resigned from office earlier this month after several women accused him of sexual misconduct.
Schriock said that it was "hard" for Franken to go through that moment without finishing the due process that the Senate Ethics Committee set up for him with a formal investigation.
"For Al Franken, if he couldn't do his job, he was going to step away so somebody could because he put the people first," Schriock continued. "I think that's admirable, frankly."
Schriock's comments appear to contradict what she tweeted back in November, following allegations of sexual misconduct against the Democratic senator.
"Harassment is always wrong and should always be called out," she tweeted. "I am sad and disappointed about this inappropriate behavior. This does not reflect the Al Franken I have known for 12 years and I'm glad he has apologized and called for an investigation."
Harassment is always wrong and should always be called out. I am sad and disappointed about this inappropriate behavior. This does not reflect the Al Franken I have known for 12 years and I'm glad he has apologized and called for an investigation.
— Stephanie Schriock (@Schriock1) November 16, 2017
Los Angeles radio host and model Leeann Tweeden was the first to accuse Franken of misconduct, alleging in November that he groped and kissed her without her consent while serving on a USO tour in 2006. Since then, at least seven other women have spoken up and alleged that Franken touched or kissed them without their consent.
Several Senate Democrats in December called on Franken to resign, before some of them expressed remorse about their caucus pushing Franken out of the Senate.
"What they did to Al was atrocious, the Democrats," Sen. Joe Manchin (D., W.Va.) told Politico.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (D.) appointed Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to fill Franken's vacant seat.