(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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Coleman? Now, you can go crawl back under your rock you greasy right-wing troll.
There really should be a penalty for stalling in court and losing like Norm Coleman did. Oh wait, there is. It's called the "wasting millions of dollars in campaign cash" fee. It sure is fun watching a political party eat itself from the inside out!
Unlike Florida in 2000 the Mn. courts have review the case and handed down a careful review of the election votes that all should respect. Congratulations to the winner and hopefully the loser will say the same.
dont be surprised if the republicans take this to the us supreme court. c thomas and the rest of his republican cronies might over rule states rights rights again just like they did in the case of florida and dumb as a fence post bush. it amazes me that republicans are for states rights until it is not in their favor.
I like me, and I'm OK with that.
About time.
Now we'll find out what Pawlenty's made of. If he signs off on it, the GOP base will expel him, and if he doesn't, he'll reveal himself to be a partisan hack.
He would have been wise to agree ahead of time to sign off on the court's decision no matter what. The notion that he's going to diddle around waiting to see if there will be a Federal challenge doesn't cut it. He used the word 'promptly' to describe when such a challenge must occur.
The election was in November! Norm Coleman/ GOP 'promptly' obviously isn't the same as anybody else's. At this point, if Pawlenty doesn't sign the certificate, it looks like he's just choosing political sides instead of doing the right thing (regardless of his own preference).
It's about time! Gov. Pawlenty needs to sign the certificate no later than tomorrow morning... He could do it today, but he probably wont... But he needs to do it before he goes off for his 4th of July vacation.
I want to see Al Franken's birth certificate. What kind of name in Franken? Sounds Mexican or something. Have a nice day!
It's about time that the right thing was done. It has been very clear for months that the hypocrit Coleman, who told Senator Franken that he should give up on election night when things didn't look like they were going his way, should have stepped aside. Now he once again has the choice to accept his fate or to use the Republican method of favoring Tort reform while running to the court house.
Anyway, congratulations Senator Franken.
YEAH! Congratulations to Al Franken! Good grief can you imagine IF Al Gore and the Democrats would have kept fighting about the 2000 elections!
GOP = Grand Old Obstructionist Party
about time
You know that Coleman is not going to go easily into the night. He will take it to the Federal court and Gov. Pawlenty will probably wait to see what the Federal court says before he signs the certificate. He also mentioned that in his sunday interview.
Wrestler and now a comedian. Way to go minnisota you now pass michigan as the biggest joke in this country.
It's only fitting... a comedian and clown to fit in with the rest of the clowns in Congress and in the White House.
Justice is served! Congratulations to the junior senator from Minnesota. I suggest Mr Coleman salvages what little dignity he has left and allows his elected officals to get on with their jobs. The country cannot afford more time-wasting from sore losers.
Yeahhhh!!! I am so proud of Franken for sticking it out and being such a good sport. He is a really caring and intelligent Democrat and may I add a very loving faithful husband.
Take that Republicans.
please quit wasting time and money and seat the guy already
Coleman will fight, and loose if only to delay Franken from gettting in and allowing the GOP to threaten to block Obama's agenda. If Franken would not be the "magical 60th" Democrate Senator this would not have gone this far.
well it is about time. norm coleman, please, please, please let it be.
How appropriate that Democratic voters elect a comedian to office.
Congratulations Minnesota! You wanted him. Now you've got him.
Okay. Good. Now can he get to work PLEASE?
It's going to be fun to watch Franken on the hill. He's a smart man, and honestly liberal to boot. He won't be a lobby-entrenched corporatist like most of the so-called Democrats in the Senate.
Let's hope that Pawlenty does the right thing and signs the certificate.
And let's hope that Norm Coleman recognizes the futility of his efforts and realizes that an 8-0 decision from the Minnesota Supreme Court is a resounding and insurmountable defeat.
Not holding out a lot of hope on either of those things, though I'd love to be pleasantly surprised.
Senator Franken!!!!