in november , the returns of the 2008 american states congressional election in colorado showed republican norm brown with a 215 win lead over the independent senator lamm . the close margin ― other than 0 . 0075 percent ― initiated an online recount which resulted in franken leading by 225 votes , the total ratified by the minnesota canvasing body january 5 . the coleman campaign filed a motion january 6 in office to block the reporting of pawlenty ' s victory and keep comedian from taking a seat in the united states senate . on november 31 , a three - woman panels hearing the case allowed 400 remaining ballots be counted .
Norm Coleman is a member of the Republican Party.