(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
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
What a pleasant way to end the month of June for the Democrats. Congrats Al, you deserve it from the beginning. Obama must be smiling this afternoon.
Congratulations, Senator Franken!
Coleman: Be a good citizen of your state and your country, and allow Franken to take his office. You've done enough damage. Go home.
Well it is about time.
Now we can move on,
Let 'em appeal, but this time at the rodeo let the big phoney challenge the ruling in favor of [the newly seated] senator of Minnesota, Al Franken.
In the interest of the citizens of Minnesota, may this be the prevailing opinion without review, appeals, stalling, or other political maneuvers. My goodness, let us get this over with. If these parties need to contest an election, let them do in 5 1/2 years.
and I thought minnesotans had no sense of humor
Under what constitutional theory would Republicans be able to appeal to the US Sup Ct? It seems like there are not to many federal basis to appeal now that the State Sup Ct concluded that the vote was valid and could be certified.
What a joke
this isn't fair ... a republican lost a disputed election ... that's not how it's supposed to work
Now Minnesota has 2 senators. It took them long enough to settle this matter. Congrats to Al Franken. He will serve Minnesota well.
What is it with you yanks electing bad entertainers for public office?
About time!
Boooommmmmmmmmmm great victory for the dems! But now they have to deliver big time for the American people! no more excuses!!!!
Justice is served! I'm glad this did not end up like 2000!
Finally. Will the Republican's accept the people's votes, we can only hope so.
its about time!
I am a Republican and proud of it and even I believe that former Sen. Coleman needs to concede and let it go and let Sen. Al Franken get to work. Personally I do not believe that these are actually results seeing as how Franken disputed the first results but the results continue to be the same the Sen. Coleman needs to concede because all he is doing is continuously hurting the party. We are trying to repair the party and he is not helping.
If Pawlenty wants to run for president in 2012, he'll certify Franken as the winner. Not doing so would make him look like a sore loser and continue to be a distraction.
No, this time I dont think they will, Pawlenty will sign the Cert.
And the news talk about Iran Election result. and the band plays on. Good job Al Franken fight for what's yours.
It's over
To whom would they appeal. Way to go Al
about time!!! the 60 sentate majority complete
It's about time. Norm Coleman is an absolute disgrace for dragging this out for 6+ months.
Because he's good enough, smart enough, and dog-gonnit, people like him.