Breaking: Franken Awarded Senate Seat

Minnesota’s Supreme Court has ruled unanimously in favor of funnyman Al Franken in the seemingly interminable dispute between the Democrat and his Republican opponent, incumbent Norm Coleman, over who won the state’s Senate seat last November. But the fight over which Jew will represent the Gopher State isn’t quite finished: the AP is reporting that Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he would sign an order declaring Franken the winner if ordered to do so by the court, but the justices stopped short of an outright command, instead simply saying Franken was “entitled” to be seated in Washington. Neither campaign has commented, but Franken plans a press conference for later today.

UPDATE: Coleman has conceded the race, clearing the way for Pawlenty to certify Franken as the victor. “I told him it’s the best job he will ever have,” Coleman said at a press conference at his St. Paul home. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the earliest Franken could be seated would be next week after the Fourth of July break.

State Supreme Court Rules for Franken, 5-0 [Star Tribune]
Minn. Court Rules for Franken in Senate Fight [AP]