Franken Race Too Close to Call

Recount looms as Minnesota Senate contest goes down to the wire
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 5, 2008 3:31 AM CST
Franken Race Too Close to Call
Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken, and his wife, Franni, vote in Minneapolis yesterday.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesotans may have to wait days to learn the winner of their state's close-fought Senate race, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken are locked in a dead heat, and the winning margin will almost certainly be slender enough to trigger an automatic recount.

Exit polls showed Franken had benefited from a surge in Democratic support, but some ticket-splitters went for Coleman. Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley pulled off enough Democrats and independents to potentially cost Franken the race. The losing candidate has the right to waive a recount under Minnesota law, but observers say that would be incredibly unlikely after one of the most bitterly contested Senate races in memory.
(More recount 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