Franken lead expands, Coleman vows appeal

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 7 (UPI) -- Al Franken extended his lead over Norm Coleman in Minnesota's U.S. Senate election Tuesday after about 350 once rejected absentee ballots were counted.

Franken, a Democrat, gained 87 votes, boosting his lead to 312 votes over Republican Coleman, the former U.S. senator, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.

A three-judge panel, who heard Coleman's challenge of a mandatory recount of the November election results, opened and counted 351 never-before-counted absentee ballots.

Marc Elias, Franken's lawyer, said the outcome proved that the comedian and author got more votes in last year's election.

"The fact is more people voted for Al Franken than Norm Coleman," Elias said.

Franken led by 225 votes after the recount phase that Coleman challenged before a three-judge panel. Of the 351 absentees added to the count Tuesday, 198 went to Franken, 111 went to Coleman and 42 went to "other."

Attorney Ben Ginsberg, Coleman's legal spokesman, said the Coleman team was "saddened and disappointed" by the results.

After the proceeding, Ginsberg said Coleman would appeal the case to the Minnesota Supreme Court, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Under Minnesota law, Coleman has 10 days to appeal.