The race may be over, but the contest isn't. There is apt to be a lengthy challenge to Al Franken's declared win of the Senate seat of Minnesota. But the challenge will take time.
That time may hold up Minnesota's representation in the Senate, according to
ABC news. That's because the election was close, and Franken won by just 225 votes out of 3 million.. Speaking in Saint Paul, Franken declared victory but acknowledged the potential for an ongoing legal battle with Norm Coleman who has declared that he will fight the decision made today. He has seven days to do so before the election results are made official through the signature of Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and the state's Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
Franken, it was reported, declared after the decision was made:
"After 62 days, after the careful and painstaking hand inspection of nearly 3 million ballots, after hours and hours of hard work by elections officials and volunteers across the state, I am proud and humbled to stand before you as the next senator from Minnesota," Franken said. ""There may still be additional legal proceedings related to our recount. But I'm now in the business of serving the people of Minnesota."
before the election certificate is signed by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
Tony Trimble, Coleman's attorney, said following the announcement of the results, "
The actions today by the Canvassing Board are but the first step in what, unfortunately, will now have to be a longer process. This process isn't at the end; it is now just at the beginning," attorney Tony Trimble said in a statement. "While we appreciate the effort of this board to do the work, the reality is that any certification of vote totals at this point is only preliminary."
Senate officials in Washington closed Coleman's office today, two days after his term as the Republican Senator from Minnesota expired, the
Boston Herald wrote. This came after the state Canvassing Board's announcement of Franken's win of the Senate seat Coleman has occupied since 2003. He was elected to the Senate seat after serving as mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Al Franken has been comic, writer, political protagonist, and consummate activist for liberal causes.
He has been emphatic that he would win the race for the Senate that has been hotly contested since November 4.
