The election certificate that once loomed so large in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race has been signed with little fuss. Democrat Al Franken is headed to Washington after Republican Norm Coleman conceded the race. Coleman’s concession came today after the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected his lawsuit challenging results of a statewide recount.
Democrats had worried that Gov. Tim Pawlenty would refuse to sign the election certificate, which Franken needs to be seated. Pawlenty had said he would sign it if ordered by the court, but today’s decision said only that Franken was “entitled” to the document. Once Coleman conceded, Pawlenty signed the certificate early this evening and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie — a Democrat — added his signature soon after.