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Minn. Battle Has Nothing on '74-75 Marathon

Dem Durkin finally won NH Senate seat after revote 10 months later

By Kristina Loew, Newser User

Posted Nov 9, 2008 6:01 AM CST

(Newser) – The vitriolic standoff between Al Franken and Norm Coleman in the Minnesota Senate race—headed for a recount, then likely the courts and possibly the Senate—could take many months to resolve, judging from a precedent in New Hampshire 34 years ago, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune. That fight, after a 1974 election not quite as tight as this one, wasn’t settled for 10 months.

When votes were counted on Election Day, heavily favored Republican Rep. Louis Wyman led Democrat John Durkin by 355 votes. After a recount, Durkin led by 10. The case went to the Senate, but after as many as 35 votes there, a special election revote was scheduled for Sept. 16, 1975. Durkin won in a landslide, and was officially a senator two days later.

[Images (3)]

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Al Franken supporters covered their heads with newspaper as they tried to nap while waiting for the results of Franken's neck-and-neck race with Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, Nov. 5, 2008. (AP Photo)

Senate candidate Al Franken shakes hands with supporters after speaking at the Democratic election night party Tuesday in St. Paul, Minn. His race against Sen. Norm Coleman is still undecided. (AP Photo)

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., claims victory in his reelection bid during a news conference Wednesday. (AP Photo)

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In the 1974 New Hampshire race, both candidates were declared the winner, and the seat was also declared vacant before a revote.
- Bob von Sternberg, Star Tribune

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Minn. Battle Has Nothing on '74-75 Marathon