Disgraced ex-politician, comedian Al Franken raising funds for Democrat Josh Riley

No joke.

Former US senator from Minnesota and SNL comedian Al Franken — who resigned from office in 2017 after several women accused him of sexual misconduct — is trying to help an ex-top staffer get elected to Congress in New York.

Franken is sending numerous fundraising pitches to boost Josh Riley — who served as Franken’s general counsel — in a likely rematch against first-term incumbent Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro in the 19th congressional district that takes in the mid-Hudson Valley and Southern Tier.

Democrats on fundraising lists have been hit with 16 e-letters from Franken since May via several groups backing Riley — including one missive Sunday.

“Here’s why I support Josh — and why you should too!” Franken writes.

“Josh knows policy issues backward and forward. Together Josh and I did good stuff when he was my counsel on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee – good stuff like protecting victims of domestic violence,” boasting he and Riley tucked a provision in the Violence Against Women Act “that protected survivors of domestic violence from homelessness.”

Franken urges supporters to split $10 — or whatever they can give — between Voter Protection Project and “my friend Josh Riley to help him win one of the most important races in the country in 2024.”

Ahead of his Senate resignation, one of the women who accused Franken of wrongdoing was a former radio host and Playboy model Leeann Tweeden, who claimed he forced an unwanted kiss during rehearsal for a skit on a USO tour — and pretended to grab her breasts during a photo shoot while she slept.

One of the women who accused Franken of wrongdoing was former radio host and Playboy model, Leeann Tweeden.

She claimed Franken had forced an unwanted kiss during rehearsal for a skit during a USO tour and he pretended to grab her breasts during a photo shoot while she slept.

Franken, 72, apologized for his creepy behavior in the damaging photo, saying he was trying to be funny. But he denied abusing any women and has since said he regretted resigning.

New York’s two Democrat senators — Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand — were among the most forceful in calling for his resignation.

Molinaro and other Republicans had a field day after hearing of Franken’s role as a money man in Riley’s campaign.

“It’s curious that Josh Riley would raise money with a disgraced former senator whose own party – led by NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand – forced him to resign. His condescending campaign is reminding voters that he’s a DC lawyer and Washington insider,” said Molinaro campaign adviser David Catalfamo.

And state Republican Party chairman Ed Cox noted “Al Franken had to resign from the Senate because of his abuse of women.”

Riley, while mentioning working for Franken in his campaign bio, doesn’t list his former boss as one of his backers — a decision that Cox mocked.

“Franken is an embarrassment. He doesn’t want Franken visible but his money is readily accepted,” Cox said.

The Riley campaign declined to comment. Franken had no immediate comment.

“Franken is an embarrassment. He doesn’t want Franken visible but his money is readily accepted,” he said.

Molinaro defeated Riley last year by about 2 percentage points.

Franken currently hosts the  Al Franken Podcast and has his own political action committee, Midwest Values PAC, that backs Democrats and supports a “host of other good, non-political things,” according to his website.