Al Franken just ended speculation that he will reconsider resignation and go forward with an ethics investigation by announcing today that he will resign January 2. Politico:
Al Franken will resign from the Senate on Jan. 2, his office said Wednesday, ending any uncertainty over whether he would reverse course after announcing earlier this month that he would step down amid a sexual misconduct scandal.
Franken's office also announced that Tina Smith, the Democratic lieutenant governor tapped to succeed him, is expected to be sworn into the Senate on Jan. 3. Franken began collaborating with Smith on a transition soon after she was tapped by Gov. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.).
The announcement will halt any further push from some of his colleagues to convince him to hang onto his seat, even after seven women came forward to say he groped or attempted to kiss them without their consent.
Resigning "was his choice to make," said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. "I think if he had decided to stay, he would have found a lot of support."