Al Franken Senate Recount Win Held up By Lawsuit

• Jan 6, 2009 03:09 PM ET
• by Adam Bryant

Al Franken

Comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member Al Franken is a U.S. senator. Sort of.

Although Minnesota's Canvassing Board certified Franken as the winner of the lengthy recount on Monday, a legal challenge by Republican incumbent Norm Coleman may keep the results from becoming official a while longer, according to The Associated Press. Coleman, who initially was believed to have a 215-vote lead, is arguing that the recount wrongly excluded some ballots and that others were mishandled, giving Franken an unfair advantage.

As it stands, Franken won 225 more votes than Coleman, out of nearly 3 million cast on November 4. However, Minnesota law prohibits final certification when the results are being challenged by a lawsuit.

Franken, meanwhile, declared victory Monday, calling his win "incredibly humbling," adding that he is "proud to stand before you as the next senator from Minnesota."

A Franken spokesperson declined to reveal whether he was in Washington or what he would do during the legal challenge.