Franken takes the lead in Minnesota

For the first time since Election Day, Democrat Al
Franken is ahead of incumbent Norm Coleman (R) in Minnesota’s still-undecided
Senate race.

{mosads}According to a tally by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Franken has taken the lead as the state’s
Board of Canvassers continues to review ballots challenged by both campaigns
during the state’s hand recount.

Franken led early Friday afternoon by nearly 200 votes,
according to the paper. While Coleman led Franken by 188 votes at the
conclusion of the hand recount, the board’s review of thousands of challenged
ballots has yielded a lead – which could again narrow – for Franken on Friday.

The Coleman campaign emphasized caution and said it expected Franken’s lead to grow throughout Friday. However, the incumbent’s
team projected confidence that it could still secure victory in the contested
race.

“Because of procedural reasons regarding the way the
process has been playing out this week, you will likely see the numbers
continue to flip flop around and go upside down as a good-sized chunk of
withdrawn challenges from the Franken campaign have not yet been awarded back
into Norm Coleman’s column,” Coleman spokesman Mark Drake stated Friday.

An email seeking comment from Franken’s campaign was not
immediately returned.