Franken, Ciresi suspend campaign activities

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Democratic U.S. Senate hopefuls Al Franken and Mike Ciresi suspended their campaign activities Thursday because of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Franken has also cancelled an appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” that was scheduled for Thursday night and is returning to the Twin Cities.

The two are challenging each other for the chance to take on incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minnesota, in the November 2008 election. Franken is best known for his work on “Saturday Night Live” and as the host of “The Al Franken Show” on Air America. Ciresi is a prominent Minneapolis attorney who represented the state in litigation against the tobacco industry.

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart