US Senate complete as court backs disputed November poll (2nd Roundup)

Jun 30, 2009, 22:28 GMT

Washington - A nearly eight-month dispute over Minnesota's US Senate seat ended Tuesday, as the state's highest court sanctioned the razor-thin election victory of Democratic candidate Al Franken.

The Minnesota win gives Democrats 60 seats in the 100-member US Senate and could make it much easier for the party to push through its legislative priorities. Due to procedural rules in the upper chamber, most major legislation requires a super-majority of 60 votes to pass.

President Barack Obama in a statement said he looked forward to working with senator-elect Franken on health care, energy and other issues in the coming years.

In the final tally, Franken, a former comedian, won by 312 votes out of 2.9 million votes cast over incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman.

'I can't wait to get started,' Franken said at a press conference in Minnesota. 'I'm also humbled ... by the enormity and responsibility that comes with this office.'

Coleman was originally declared the victor in the November 2008 election. But the close vote prompted an automatic recount, and Franken emerged the winner in January, triggering a series of court challenges.

The Minnesota Supreme Court said that Franken's victory should be certified by the state. Coleman said he would not appeal and quickly called Franken to concede.

'The Supreme Court of Minnesota has spoken. I respect its decision, and I will abide by its result,' Coleman said in brief remarks to reporters in Minnesota.