Minnesota court rejects Franken lawsuit

MINNEAPOLIS, March 6 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Supreme Court Friday rejected Al Franken's request that the Senate recount be certified and he be allowed to take a U.S. Senate seat.

Politico reported that Franken, the Democratic candidate, was seeking to have his race against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman certified. Franken specifically wanted the state's high court to force Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty to certify the recount results.

The justices, however, said they cannot compel the governor to do so since only the U.S. Senate has the legal authority to seat lawmakers without a state certification.

At the conclusion of a recount, Franken held a 225-vote lead over Coleman, who left the Senate after his term expired in January -- leaving Minnesota with just one U.S. senator, Democrat Amy Klobuchar.

The state Supreme Court's authority "does not usurp the Senate's power and does not conflict with federal law, either statutory or constitutional," the justices ruled.