Court Calls Franken Winner; Coleman Vows to Appeal

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 13, 2009 8:15 PM CDT
Court Calls Franken Winner; Coleman Vows to Appeal
Norm Coleman listens as a witness is examined by his attorney during court session Thursday Jan.29, 2008 in St. Paul, Minn.   (AP Photo/Ben Garvin, pool)

A Minnesota court ruled today that Al Franken won more votes than rival Norm Coleman in their contested 2008 Senate race, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Dismissing Coleman's argument that systemic errors nullified the outcome, the 3-judge panel said Franken's 312-vote lead stands. Coleman vowed to appeal the decision.

“The overwhelming weight of the evidence indicates that the Nov. 4, 2008, election was conducted fairly, impartially and accurately,” the judges said in a unanimous ruling. Their decision dismissed Coleman's comparison of the race to the 2000 presidential ballot in Florida, and said Coleman was asking them to bend state election rules to allow illegal absentee ballots. Said a Franken rep: “We’re thrilled." (More Al Franken stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X