Al Franken Wins Minnesota U.S. Senate Seat

Minnesota Supreme Court Rules 5-0 in the Contest

Jun 30, 2009 Paul Hamilton

After months of delay, Minnesota finally has a winner declared in its U.S. Senate race that was almost too close to call.

In the most recent Minnesota U.S. Senate race both candidates campaigned very hard and at different points in the race were actually declared the winner. It was also the closest election in Minnesota history and one of the states lengthiest.

In a press conference held today, Norm Colman congratulated Al Franken making his concession speech in the backyard of his St. Paul home. Mr. Colman is the former Mayor of St. Paul and a potential candidate for the governorship of Minnesota.

In a live broadcast from Minnesota Public Radio and as reported by Fox News, Mr. Colman commented, "I just had a conversation with Al Franken congratulating him on his victory. The Supreme Court of Minnesota has spoken, I respect its decision and I will abide by its result...we have reached the point where further litigation damages the unity of our state," Mr. Colman said.

Franken Gives Press Conference

Senator-Elect Franken was upbeat in his comments about the resolution of the long election contest as he made a statement at a press conference called on the steps of his downtown Minneapolis Condo. According to a report by CNN Franken said, "I am proud to stand before you as the next U.S. Senator from Minnesota."

Much has been made of the fact that Mr. Franken is going to be the sixtith (60) Democratic Senator, but in his comments made during his press conference U.S. Senator-Elect Franken said, "I am not going to Washington to be the Democrats sixtith (60) Senator, I am going to be Minnesota's second U.S. Senator." Being the sixtith Senator is important because Mr. Franken gives the Democrats the numerical advantage they need to overcome a filibuster if one were mounted by U.S. Senate Republicans.

When he goes to Washington next week to be sworn in, Mr. Franken will be the most junior of all the 100 people there. However, some consolation comes from that fact that he will be given an important assignment on the influential Senate Judiciary Committee. Consequently, Mr. Franken will be involved in the committee's vetting process of hearings for President Obama's U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

Mr. Franken is a Former Comedian Author and Radio Talk Show Host

The Senator-Elect who was born in New York but grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota is a former writer and comedian who gained a lot of national attention with his working on NBC's Saturday Night Live. He also is the author of several books and was contracted for one (1) year as the host of a nationally syndicated program on the Air America (Talk) Radio network.

Sources:

Franken Declared Winner of Minnesota Senate Election, Giving Dems Filibuster Proof Majority, Fox News, June 30th, 2009.

Franken Declares Senate Race Win After State Ruling, CNN, Authors: Chris Welch and Ed Homick, June 30th 2009.

The copyright of the article Al Franken Wins Minnesota U.S. Senate Seat in American Affairs is owned by Paul Hamilton. Permission to republish Al Franken Wins Minnesota U.S. Senate Seat in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Al Franken

Al Franken

Al Franken

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