Minnesota to start recount in tight U.S. Senate race
By John Fritze USA TODAY Nov 20 2008ST. PAUL — For two years, Minnesota has been home to the most expensive U.S. Senate race in the country, and one of the most bitter. And that was just the beginning.
Democrat Al Franken and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman — locked in a race that could alter the power structure of Washington — are continuing their fight as officials begin a recount Wednesday that is expected to last for weeks.
Coleman, a freshman who won his seat in 2002, is ahead by 215 votes out of 2.9 million cast, according to the latest unofficial results. Because the margin is so close, state law requires all ballots to be recounted — by hand.
"Right now, the count is zero to zero," said Franken attorney Marc Elias, one in a team of election lawyers from both campaigns who have descended on the recount. "Our strategy … is to let this process work out."
