Franken Certified as Minnesota Senate Race Winner

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Franken Certified as Minnesota Senate Race Winner

, But Lawsuit Looms
Democrat Al Franken has won the U.S. Senate race in Minnesota against incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, according to a now-certified recount -- but a lawsuit could be on the horizon.
A Minnesota board has certified election results showing Democrat Al Franken has won the U.S. Senate recount -- by 225 votes.

But that doesn't mean the former Saturday Night Live comedian's race against his Republican opponent, incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, is over. FOX News has learned that Senate Democratic leaders will try to seat Franken on Tuesday, but a legal challenge probably will keep the race in limbo.

Franken aides say the Democrat has no plans to travel to Washington yet.

The Canvassing Board's declaration on Monday starts a seven-day clock for Coleman to file a lawsuit protesting the certified result. If he doesn't, Franken will get the election certificate he needs to take the seat in Washington.

Coleman's lawyers have argued that some ballots were mishandled and others were wrongly excluded from the recount. Lead attorney Fritz Knaak said a lawsuit was inevitable after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled against Coleman earlier on Monday.

FOX News has learned from senior Senate Democratic aides that Democratic leaders will try to seat the former comedian provisionally on Tuesday, much as was done in 1997 in the case of Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La. .

Landrieu was seated temporarily while the Rules Committee launched an investigation into recount problems in the state. Ultimately, Landrieu took her seat.

Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, told FOX News that the votes are probably not there to seat Franken, but Democrats will try.

Republicans have vowed to block any such move because Coleman is expected to challenge the recount.