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Al Franken Wins Senate Race: Minnesota Supreme Court

by cyn.khoo | June 30, 2009 at 11:20 am

165 views | 12 Recommendations | 2 comments

Update (July 1, 2009):

A rally featuring Senator-elect Al Franken is to be hosted by labor groups on Wednesday, July 1, at the State Capitol. Franken and his wife, Franni Franken, will address those present, which will include Minnesota senior senator Amy Klobuchar.

The rally begins at noon on the Capitol steps. It is hosted by the Alliance for a Better Minnesota, Americans United for Change, MN AFL-CIO, AFSCME Council 5, Working America, SEIU MN State Council, DFL Party, UAW, St. Paul Trades and Labor, Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council.

Franken is expected to be sworn in next week, after the US Independence Day, July 4.

Earlier story:

Al Franken has won his seat in the Minnesta Senate elections, the results of which have been pending since November 2008. Franken, previously a writer and performer for TV hit Saturday Night Live, had already declared victory after multiple recounts, but former senator Republican Norm Coleman repeatedly challenged the results.

On Tuesday, June 30, the Minnesota Supreme Court dismissed Colema's challenge and declared Franken the winner.

The unanimous opinion ruled that Franken "received the highest number of votes legally cast" and is entitled "to receive the certificate of election as United States senator from the state of Minnesota."

Update (3:44pm):

Republican Norm Coleman has conceded the Minnesota Senate race to Democrat Al Franken.

"The Supreme Court has made its decision and I will abide by the results," Coleman told reporters outside his St. Paul home.

Coleman's concession comes hours after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favour of Franken's victory.

Franken, accompanied by his wife, told reporters outside his downtown Minneapolis town house that "Franni and I are so thrilled that we can finally celebrate this victory."
"I can't wait to get started," he added. "I've been trying to keep abreast of what's going on, and I'll do the best I can."

Franken's victory means that the Democrats now have 60 seats in the federal Senate, the number needed to prevent Republican filibusters from blocking desired legislation from passing. However, it will require all Democrats in Senate to be present and join in a united front to be able to take advantage of such a strategy.

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Roy C

at 11:40 on June 30th, 2009

We will never know if Al Franken actually "received the highest number of votes legally cast" because there never was a real recount.

Some districts had more votes than voters registered and no one reviewed the thousands of absentee ballots that were thrown out because they came from overseas, especially the military, and would have given the victory to the "wrong side".