Minnesota certifies Al Franken’s senate victory

Two months after the November election the state canvassing board has declared challenger Al Franken the winner over incumbent Norm Coleman in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate recount.

“I’ll pass this down for signing, and with this act we are certifying the results,“ said Mark Ritchie, Minnesota Secretary of State

But there still may be obstacles to Franken becoming the new U.S. Senator. 

In recent weeks, attorneys have laid the groundwork for court battles. 

“We are prepared to go forward and take whatever legal action is necessary to remedy what we believe is this artificial lead,“ said Coleman’s attorney Fritz Knaak.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has already rejected a petition by the Coleman campaign to include hundreds of ballots it says were improperly rejected. 

The Franken camp is claiming victory.

“We’ve fought long and hard over the course of the last couple of months for this day to happen,“ said Marc Elias Franken’s attorney.

The race between democratic Franken, of Saturday Night Live fame, and Coleman was the closest in the state’s history.

But with the recount now tipping in Franken’s favor, and Coleman’s term already expired, his best hope to remain in office is in the courts.

The court challenges could leave the Minnesota seat vacant for weeks.