Franken says Minn. Senate race narrowing

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Democratic challenger Al Franken's camp Friday said a recount has shrunk his deficit in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race to double digits from 206 votes earlier.

Franken is battling incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., for the hotly-contested seat. His camp said it bases its claim on a tally from its election observers in the recount of the Senate race, The Hill reported.

The Franken team has volunteers at all recount locations in the state. Aides to the author and former "Saturday Night Live" writer and performer said the candidate has picked up enough votes to slice Coleman's lead to less than 100 votes. When the recount began, Coleman's lead was slightly more than 200 votes.

Franken's tally included challenged ballots where neutral local officials ruled on voter intent, the Washington political publication reported. The officials' determination could be overturned by the state's Board of Canvassers, but Franken's campaign said the local rulings offer a reliable baseline.

"We believe that Al Franken has gained enough votes to say that Norm Coleman's lead is in the double digits," Franken campaign attorney Marc Elias told The Hill.

The recount is expected to last into December.