January 4th, 2009
05:03 PM ET
14 years ago

MN board to certify Franken's win in tight senate race

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/04/art.mnrecount0104.gi.jpg caption="CNN has learned that a state board in Minnesota overseeing a recount in the razor-thin Senate race will declare Democrat Al Franken the winner Monday."]
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) - A state election board on Monday will announce Democrat Al Franken as the winner of the Minnesota Senate race, defeating Republican incumbant Norm Coleman, state officials told CNN Sunday.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie told CNN the canvassing board on Monday will confirm that Franken won the race by a 225-vote margin.

Deputy Secretary of State Jim Gelbmann oversaw the tallying of roughly 950 improperly rejected absentee ballots Saturday, which was the last remaining hurdle in the canvassing board's procedure. He said no outstanding challenges remain and that the only thing left for the board to do Monday is certify the numbers. Their meeting will convene at 2:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. ET).

Full story

soundoff (184 Responses)
  1. BB

    Thank GOD it's over. Minnesota sucks almost as bad as Florida.

    January 4, 2009 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |
  2. Toby in Illinois

    But the votes of the Supreme Court's Republicans haven't been tallied yet!

    January 4, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |
  3. brad

    Well at least Harry isn't saying we've lost the war in Iraq anymore. He may be right, but why is anyone listening to him for predictions rather than someone with at least a little bit of credibility?

    January 4, 2009 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |
  4. Sherrol in Canada

    Are you really saying that it's over? Thank God, finally, relief!!!

    January 4, 2009 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |
  5. Richard , Naples, Fl

    2000 al over again GOP, has too many connections in the courts

    January 4, 2009 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |
  6. Steve

    This shows that it (Al Franken) pays to have loyal ballot counters on his side! Congrats Stuart Smally! It should be very amusing to see and hear him in action in the Senate performing for Minnesotans!.

    January 4, 2009 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |
  7. a little sad

    For Coleman wanted Franken to concede before the state-mandated recount was started.

    If he fails to concede now that he has been shown that he did in fact lose, that'd be pretty amusing.

    Hypocritical, but amusing.

    January 4, 2009 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |
  8. Proud American

    Well I say thank God, who amoung us would believe that a Republican could win anything. Steal it maybe but never win. I'm proud of Minnesota for demanding real leadership. Will someone please tell me what has your previous Idiot Rep. do for your state?

    January 4, 2009 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |
  9. ML

    If you haven't seen it, find the episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun where Al Franken played a politician. He does a good politician. He's had some experience playing politicians on SNL. He's more prepared to be Senator than W was to be Governor or President.

    January 4, 2009 05:36 pm at 5:36 pm |
  10. alvino

    Way to go big Al!

    It almost makes me want to cheer for the Vikings football team today!

    January 4, 2009 05:37 pm at 5:37 pm |
  11. TC

    "The effort by the Franken campaign, supported by the Secretary of State, to exclude improperly rejected absentee ballots is indefensible and disenfranchises hundreds of Minnesota voters"

    My my my, the GOP sure sings a different tune when it's their ox that's getting "Gored," so to speak. The irony is just too sweet. We will never forget 2000. A court-anointed Bush led this country into a deep pit, but we're finally crawling out. Thank God! Head for DC, Mr. Franken, and godspeed!

    January 4, 2009 05:40 pm at 5:40 pm |
  12. Bill

    Shows what a good recount team of Dems can do for you...Franken did a good job of keeping it close enough to get his team in and reverse the election day results. Not enough votesyet? Oh yeah, here's some more in my car trunk that should help you out, Al!

    January 4, 2009 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |
  13. renee

    Congrats. MN! You are gaining a smart, honest and funny man to represent you! Al Franken.

    January 4, 2009 05:42 pm at 5:42 pm |
  14. alvino

    Hey Steve!

    What this really shows is that the republicans do not always get to suppress the vote. If Norm would have won, his shady activities would have made Ted Stevens' wrongdoings look small by comparison.

    January 4, 2009 05:42 pm at 5:42 pm |
  15. AZdude

    Looks like another democrat state goes corrupt. IL and NJ are bad enough. Hold onto your wallets.. The dems are coming and they're out for everybody's money.

    January 4, 2009 05:42 pm at 5:42 pm |
  16. S Callahan

    Wow that was quite some race....reminds me of New York...

    Congrats Senator!

    January 4, 2009 05:42 pm at 5:42 pm |
  17. Nestor

    Way to go Franken, if you can't beat em', cheat em'.

    January 4, 2009 05:43 pm at 5:43 pm |
  18. George Washingont

    If everyone could have been such a better president than Bush, then how come none of the bebetters ran against him? Shut up or Show up. Losers.

    January 4, 2009 05:45 pm at 5:45 pm |
  19. No Hillary = No Obama

    Was it worth it? That remains to be seen.

    January 4, 2009 05:46 pm at 5:46 pm |
  20. Jennifer

    Nice steal Al! At least George was later proven to have won Florida by independent media. Wonder if Minnesotans (not Dem party hacks) care enough to discover who really won Minnesota? Doubt if the media cares to look when a Dem steals an election.

    January 4, 2009 05:46 pm at 5:46 pm |
  21. Rob in Canada

    The Coleman campaign will have seven days after the board and Ritchie certify results to file a post-election contest, which they have indicated they will do.

    I don't think this is finished yet folks....

    January 4, 2009 05:46 pm at 5:46 pm |
  22. Texas Teacher

    *Applauding for Franken* Alright.... and way to go! Another Democrat to aid in the recovery! And Senator Al Franken will do just that. Like Obama, he is highly intelligent and well educated... he knows what he is doing... and what the Repubs have NOT been doing! 🙂

    January 4, 2009 05:47 pm at 5:47 pm |
  23. Da Professor

    You can count on theRepublicans drawing this vote out as long as they can. Sorta reminds you of 2000 in Florida doesn't it? We need all the humor we can muster over the next year or two as the economy continues to depress us. Luckily, Al Franken has come to the rescue. The only thing about Franken that may depress me is if he came across as intelligent, humorless in the Senate, and possessing of creative thought. Would that frost the GOP!' Between Bush, Rove (his puppet master), Cheney, Rumsfeld and friends, we have had all the humor we can stand. Good ridance!

    January 4, 2009 05:49 pm at 5:49 pm |
  24. stuartx

    you really mean "Sen. Al Farce-n."

    what a clown!
    now it makes sense. the chicken have come to roost.

    January 4, 2009 05:49 pm at 5:49 pm |
  25. Minnescrotums

    Proud American: "I'm proud of Minnesota for demanding real leadership. "

    Really? You think Al Franken is real leadership? Wow!! Good luck with that one!

    January 4, 2009 05:50 pm at 5:50 pm |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8