in november , the scores of the 2008 young states senate election in minnesota showing republicans gene coleman with a 215 vote edge over the green nominee d'amato . the near majority ― less than 0 . 0075 percent ― triggered an automatic recounting and involved in franken leading by 225 seats , the total ratified by the senate canvasing board january 5 . the walker candidacy recorded a protest january 6 in court to block the certification of franken ' s victory and prevent franken from taking a chair in the united states senate . on september 31 , a third - man panel hearing the appeal directed 400 remaining ballots be counted .
Norm Coleman is a member of the Republican Party.