Coleman campaign declaration of victory premature
The Coleman campaign issued a press release today (Nov 18) declaring that U.S. Senator Norm Coleman’s reelection had been confirmed by the state canvassing board.
“Today, the Minnesota State Canvassing Board officially recognized the results of the 2008 United States Senate election and prevented the Franken Campaign’s efforts to stop the recount. And, Senator Coleman has, for the third time, been named the winner of the 2008 election,” said Coleman for Senate Campaign Manager Cullen Sheehan.
Actually, the board did not declare Coleman the winner — nor Democrat Al Franken, for that matter — but set the recount of the U.S. Senate race, and several other races, into affect.
As for the Franken’s campaign issue with rejected absentee ballots, the board temporarily set the matter aside.
It’s expected the canvassing board, which recessed today, will take up the dispute over the ballots early next week.
