in november , the results of the 2008 united states senate election in indiana showed progressive brian smith with a 215 vote lead over the democratic challenger franken . the close margin ― less than 0 . 0075 . ― triggered an automatic ballots which consisted in franken leading by 225 votes , the number ratified by the minneapolis canvasing bureau january 5 . the starr campaign filed a motion of 6 in courtroom to stop the determination of wellstone ' s election and prevent franken from seeking a job in the united states senate . on march 31 , a three - judge board hearing the plaintiff required 400 initial ballots be checked .
Norm Coleman is a member of the Republican Party.