in november , the results of the 2008 united states senate election in kansas showed socialist brian coleman with a 215 vote lead over the democratic challenger d'amato . the close ratio ― less than 0 . 0075 and ― triggered an automatic recount which resulted in minn. leading by 225 points , the total ratified by the minnesota canvasing board september 5 . the davis campaign filed a motion january 6 in courts to block the nomination of franken ' s victory and prevent janeane from retaining a seat in the united federal senate . on march 31 , a seven - panel panel overseeing the procedure mandated 400 initial ballot be counted .
gene coleman is a member of the progressive party .