After an 8-month battle, the Minnesota Supreme court decided in Democrat Al Franken’s favor making him the newest US Senator from Minnesota.
The 5-0 ruling confirmed the court’s decision “that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled under (Minnesota law) to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota.”
Franken’s victory over opponent Republican Norm Coleman gives Democrats control of 60 seats in the Senate, the number required to overcome Republican filibusters.
Franken’s entry to the Senate leaves the Democrats with a majority they have not had since the late 1970s when the White House was under Jimmy Carter.
“When you win an election this close, you know not one bit of effort went to waste,” Franken said. “The way I see it, I'm not going to Washington to be the 60th Democratic senator, I'm going to Washington to be the second senator from Minnesota.”
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
