(CNN) - Minnesota's Supreme Court has dismissed former Sen. Norm Coleman's challenge to the state's November election results and declared Democratic challenger Al 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."
The former "Saturday Night Live" writer and performer had declared victory in the disputed race after a recount ended in January, but Coleman - a Republican who had been seeking a second six-year term - went to court to challenge those results.
Coleman still could attempt to take the challenge to federal courts, but Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, told CNN on Sunday that he would sign Franken's election certificate if the Supreme Court ordered it.
Updated: 2:25 p.m.
From CNN Politics
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It's about time!!;)
What will the excuse be now?
An activist court? ACORN?
What other petty things not pertinent to the proceedings will the right wingers come up with?
Maybe they'll hold their breath until they turn blue or pick up the ball and go home.
And they wonder why no is taking them seriously anymore.
Congratulations, Al Franken. Unfortunately, the other Al, Mr. Gore didn't fight this long and hard for the presidency that he won in 2000. But then, he was subverted by a different Extreme Court.
Wouldn't it have been nice to forgo the 8 bloody years of Bush/Cheney/Afghanistan/Iraq/torture/corruption/economic collapse? Thanks for nuthin', Justice Scalia!
HOW MUCH will a veto proof Senate now cost the American taxpayer once this second-rate joke writer is admitted/seated??
First Jesse "the brain" Ventura and now Al Franken. Come on Minnesota. Still bitter after the Reagan/Mondale election?
Another election STOLEN by the socialist Democracts using a double standard to decided which votes to count. Have a nice day!
coleman is the ultimate sore loser.
'Bout time. Let it go, Repubs. You have lost. Remember how your Repubs told Gore to "let it go"? Do the same. Minnesota deserves to have two senators in D.C.......
Bye-bye Coleman!
From the AP: "Pawlenty, a Republican, has said he would sign the certificate if ordered to do so by the court. The court's ruling stopped short of explicitly ordering the governor to sign the document, saying only that Franken was "entitled" to it."
Watch the maneuvering and wordplay begin. Wonder how long this phase will take?
Nobody wins with Al Franken...
I think I just heard Bill O'Reilly's head explode...again.
reads - veto proof -
should read - fillibuster proof
It only took 8 months–unbelievable.
Its about time!
Well FINALLY – good riddance to that slimy sob Coleman who started as a dem in MN and changed to a repub because it would get him more $ and votes – who's laughing now!
Rush is mad and eating fire! Can't wait for the baloon to pop!
Great News – Now Coleman should let it go.
Please appeal and make yourself and your party appear more obstructive. It's what we've come to expect.
Colemann will take this one as far as it can go.
They both suck! That is why I moved!
Well according to Minn law the gov is required to sign the certificate after all STATE court battles are completed. So he should be signing it now regardless of whether Coleman appeals or not.
If Coleman does appeal i really do not think the US Supreme Court will take it. And Coleman will look like a cry baby.
The best thing for him to do is to graciously accept defeat and move on.
What good is it? Obama and the Dems do not have the stones to really really rule. This gives them the power to have things their way but they are too afraid to use their own power.
Thank goodness. Let's get on with life.
Republicans, get a grip. This country needs everyone pulling together. Have your own point of view, but be positive and have something real to contribute. It can be done, there are honorable, coservative Republicans like Senator Luger that do that.
If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem.
Congrats Senator Franken! 61 and climbing!
Go get 'em, Al!