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Hundreds of Democrats gathered on the front lawn of the Capitol today for a noon-time rally to celebrate Al Franken’s long-awaited victory in the U.S. Senate contest. The senator-elect is expected to visit the Iron Range this weekend, before heading to Washington to take his post. “It was close — but we won,” Franken told the crowd.

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He was joined by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison and DFL Party chair Brian Melendez, among others.

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Ellison hobnobbed with fellow Democrats after the rally.

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Photographers swarmed his vehicle as Franken left the event.

Related: Franken: ‘I get to be senator’