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Minnesota senate win for Franken Democrats win crucial Senate seat
(about 4 hours later)
Democrat Al Franken has won the disputed 2008 Minnesota Senate race, after his Republican opponent Norm Coleman conceded victory. President Barack Obama's party secured a critical 60-member majority in the US Senate, after the last undecided seat was awarded to a Democrat.
On election night last November, voting machines gave Mr Coleman a narrow 215-vote lead, triggering a recount. The Minnesota Supreme Court confirmed that Al Franken had narrowly won November's poll in the state.
Mr Franken won the recount, prompting an appeal from Mr Coleman. Earlier on Tuesday, however, Minnesota's Supreme Court rejected Mr Coleman's arguments. On election night Republican Norm Coleman was given a small lead, prompting a recount won by Mr Franken but challenged by Mr Coleman.
Mr Franken will now become the Democrats' 60th vote in the US Senate. A 60-seat majority in the Senate can help defeat delaying tactics.
Sixty votes are needed to overturn attempts by the Senate minority to block legislation using a technique known as a filibuster. The BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington says that while Democrats cannot rely on all 60 senators in every vote, reaching the critical majority underlines the party's dominance.
ComedianComedian
Mr Coleman fought a long legal battle to overturn the results of the recount. Mr Coleman, the republican candidate, fought a protracted legal battle to overturn the results of the recount.
His legal team argued 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 LeaderThe 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."The Supreme Court has made its decision and I will abide by the results," Mr Coleman told reporters.
Mr Franken hailed the result, saying he was "thrilled and honoured by the faith Minnesotans have placed in me".Mr Franken hailed the result, saying he was "thrilled and honoured by the faith Minnesotans have placed in me".
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."