Coleman concedes U.S. Senate contest

Norm Coleman has conceded. The former senator called Al Franken this afternoon to congratulate him on his victory nearly eight months after election day. The concession came shortly after the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a ruling naming Franken the winner in the protracted contest.

“I’m really at peace,” Coleman told reporters at a press conference at his St. Paul home. “I’ve had a lot of time to process this election, think about the past and look to the future. So I really have a sense of peace for where things are at.”

Coleman vowed to work with Franken as he becomes Minnesota’s junior senator. He insisted that the fact that Franken will become the 60th Democratic senator — giving President Obama a filibuster-proof majority — played no role in his decision-making process. “Whatever I can do now to be a unifying force that’s what I’m going to do,” he said.

Coleman professed to have no immediate plans — other than going fishing. Some political observers have speculated that he might turn around and run for governor.

“I haven’t made a decision yet about the future,” he said. The Republican stated that he would likely have more to say on that subject as soon as next week.

Minnesota has had just one senator since January, when Coleman’s first term expired. Gov. Tim Pawlenty also announced that he will sign an election certificate for Franken today, clearing the way for him to be seated in Washington.

“The Minnesota Supreme Court has today addressed the issues surrounding the accuracy and integrity of our election system during the 2008 U.S. Senate race in Minnesota,” Pawlenty said in a statement. “In light of that decision and Senator Coleman’s announcement that he will not be pursuing an appeal, I will be signing the election certificate today as directed by the court and applicable law.”

Update: Gov. Tim Pawlenty has indicated he’ll sign the election certificate