Franken picks up votes in GOP areas

The campaign of Democrat Al Franken today trumpeted net gains during the first day of Minnesota’s U.S. Senate election recount even in Republican-leaning parts of the state. “We have reason to be optimistic,” recount attorney Marc Elias told reporters at an afternoon press conference. “We are picking up votes across the state.” The candidate himself — seldom seen locally since recount gears began turning — shared that view, according to communications director Andy Barr. “Al is cautiously optimistic,” Barr said.

MnIndy video: Franken’s forces cheer judge’s ruling on rejected absentee ballots

At a Wednesday press conference, Al Franken for Senate attorney Marc Elias cheered today’s Ramsey County District Court ruling that the county must provide the campaign with information about whose absentees ballots were rejected in the election earlier this…

MnIndy video: Franken sues for voters’ names on rejected absentee ballots

The Al Franken for Senate campaign announced today it is suing Ramsey County in hopes that a favorable court ruling will compel all Minnesota counties to release the names of voters whose absentee ballots were rejected in last week’s election. Attorney Marc Elias said the campaign may present cases of wrongly rejected absentee ballots to the newly-formed canvassing board that will oversee the recount in the U.S. Senate race between Franken and U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman.

Video and more after the jump.