In May I told you about the seemingly never-ending senate race in Minnesota. The results of the election that took place on November 4, 2008 were too close to call, so the state launched an automatic recount of the votes. Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman were both hoping to emerge as the winner. The months-long process tried the patience of Minnesotans and left them underrepresented in Washington at a time when important issues such as the economy were being discussed. But the race has finally ended. I am now happy to report that Minnesota has a second senator.

With the recount finished, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled 5-0 that Mr. Franken had indeed won the election by 312 votes. 2.9 million ballots were cast in Minnesota on election day, making the 312-vote margin very slim.

Despite the long battle and slim margin, everyone seems to agree on the results. Mr. Coleman called Mr. Franken to congratulate him, Minnesota’s Republican governor accepted (albeit without much enthusiasm) the Minnesota Supreme Court ruling and signed the election certificate that declared Mr. Franken the winner, and Minnesotans of all political leanings seem to be simply glad Election 2008 is finally over. It took a long time, but it looks like the state of Minnesota and everyone who was involved in the process, did a good, fair job.