Al Franken, seen earlier this year hosting his Air America show, has been politically active since leaving Saturday Night Live in 1995.Al Franken, seen earlier this year hosting his Air America show, has been politically active since leaving Saturday Night Live in 1995. (Canadian Press)

Al Franken, the writer, comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member, has been endorsed by Minnesota Democrats for the U.S. Senate.

Party members voted for Franken over the weekend. His only rival, college professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, withdrew after Franken got 60 per cent of the votes on the first ballot on Saturday night.

"To the people of Minnesota, let me say this: I'm not a perfect person," declared Franken in his speech at the convention in Rochester, Minn. "I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers. But I'll tell the truth, I will keep my spine."

Franken's political bid seems to have come full circle for him. In one SNL Weekend Update segment in the late 1970s, he once spoofed politicos with the line: "Vote for me, Al Franken. You'll be glad you did!"

In February, the New York-born performer and writer resigned from his job as a radio host on Air America Radio after proclaiming his desire to run for the Senate.

The seat is currently held by Republican Norm Coleman, whose campaign manager was quick to leap on Franken's lack of experience in politics.

"[He's] unqualified, unfit and unprepared to be a United States senator," said Cullen Sheehan.

Franken was nonplussed by the Republican barbs, which have been constant since he entered the race.

"I'm going to beat Norm Coleman by holding him accountable."

The 57-year-old performer left Saturday Night Live in 1995 and has been busy doing a host of producing and writing gigs.

Franken wrote three No. 1 New York Times bestsellers including Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations. The pro-choice performer been politically active since leaving SNL, speaking out in favour of same-sex marriage and gun control and against the war in Iraq.

He also scripted the original screenplay and starred in the film Stuart Saves His Family and co-wrote the film When A Man Loves A Woman.

With files from the Associated Press