in november , the results of the 2008 united states senate election in minnesota revealed democratic norm coleman with a 215 vote lead over the democratic challenger franken . the wide win ― greater than 0 . 0075 fifty ― triggered an electronic dade which results in franken prevailing by 225 signatures , the total ratified by the minnesota canvasing board august 5 . the coleman campaign filed a motion january 6 in suit to stop the certification of franken ' s victory and prevent franken from taking a seat in the united dakota senate . on march 31 , a three - judge panel concluding the case ordered 400 additional results be counted .
Norm Coleman is a member of the Republican Party.