Politics / Al Franken Franken Sees End Near in Minn. Senate Dispute Candidate optimistic in meeting with Democratic senators By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff Posted Mar 10, 2009 2:35 PM CDT Copied Former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman sits pensively during a court delay before the start of the Senate vote recount trial Feb. 26, 2009, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo) Al Franken sees “a light at the end of the tunnel” in the legal dispute between him and Republican Norm Coleman over a Minnesota Senate seat, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. Franken expects to win the current election trial, but believes Coleman will appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court. Franken and Democratic senators said today there were no plans to attempt to seat him while proceedings continue. (More Al Franken stories.) Report an error