Al Franken's campaign called him "Sen.-elect Franken" in a press release about his visit to Duluth Monday.
Franken didn't think the title presumptuous.
"I was certified by the state canvassing board, although that outcome is being contested. So, for lack of anything better, that's what we're going with," Franken told reporters at a City Hall press conference Monday afternoon. "But you can call me Al."
Franken came to Duluth to meet with two area mayors, Duluth's Don Ness and Two Harbors' Randy Bolen Jr., along with St. Louis County Commissioner Peg Sweeney. The group discussed the needs of local government -- in particular for Duluth, Ness said, the city's budget difficulties and the sanitary sewer overflow problems in Duluth.
The Democrat launched a two-day listening tour Monday, stopping in St. Paul and Duluth, to meet with mayors as the election trial began its fourth week. He was headed to Rochester Tuesday.
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"I will report what I hear at these meetings to Sen. Klobuchar," said Franken, noting that he feels this is a responsible use of his time as he awaits the results of the pending U.S. Senate election trial. "Sen. Klobuchar has to be there (in Washington, D.C.), so the best use of my time is going around the state and meeting with local officials."
Bolen noted that he appreciated the "face time" with the senator-elect.
"This is very helpful to me," Franken said. "... I want to be able to hit the ground running when I get to Washington."
