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Court declares Franken 'victory' Minnesota senate win for Franken
(about 2 hours later)
Minnesota's Supreme Court has declared Democrat Al Franken the winner of the state's disputed 2008 US Senate race. Democrat Al Franken has won the disputed 2008 Minnesota Senate race, after his Republican opponent Norm Coleman conceded victory.
On election night last November, electronic voting machines gave Mr Franken's Republican opponent Norm Coleman a 215-vote lead. On election night last November, voting machines gave Mr Coleman a narrow 215-vote lead, triggering a recount.
After a state-wide manual recount Mr Franken was declared the winner, but Mr Coleman fought the result in court. Mr Franken won the recount, prompting an appeal from Mr Coleman. Earlier on Tuesday, however, Minnesota's Supreme Court rejected Mr Coleman's arguments.
The Supreme Court ruling means that Mr Franken should soon become the Democrats' 60th vote in the US Senate. Mr Franken will now become the Democrats' 60th vote in the US Senate.
Sixty votes are needed to overturn attempts by the Senate minority to block legislation using a technique known as a filibuster.Sixty votes are needed to overturn attempts by the Senate minority to block legislation using a technique known as a filibuster.
ComedianComedian
Mr Coleman has not publicly ruled out continuing his fight in the federal courts. Mr Coleman fought a long legal battle to overturn the results of the recount.
In earlier court hearings, his legal team complained that a number of absentee ballots had been unfairly rejected by local officials. His legal team argued that a number of absentee ballots had been unfairly rejected by local officials.
The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November Harry ReidSenate Majority Leader class="" href="/2/hi/americas/7998830.stm">Q&A: Minnesota Senate race The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November Harry ReidSenate Majority Leader
But the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected Mr Coleman's arguments.But the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected Mr Coleman's arguments.
"The Supreme Court has made its decision and I will abide by the results," Mr Coleman told reporters.
Mr Franken first came to prominence as a comedian, appearing on Saturday Night Live.Mr Franken first came to prominence as a comedian, appearing on Saturday Night Live.
He later became a best-selling author and a host on the liberal Air America radio station.He later became a best-selling author and a host on the liberal Air America radio station.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a statement to "congratulate Senator-elect Al Franken, the next senator from the state of Minnesota".Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a statement to "congratulate Senator-elect Al Franken, the next senator from the state of Minnesota".
He added: "The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November and the full representation they deserve."He added: "The people of Minnesota will now finally get the brilliant and hardworking new senator they elected in November and the full representation they deserve."