Coleman Concedes As Court Clears Comic For Congress

(JTA) — In a unanimous decision, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Al Franken, a Jewish Democrat and former writer and performer on “Saturday Night Live,” is the victor in an eight-month legal battle for the state’s junior Senate seat.

In his concession, Republican Norm Coleman, who also is Jewish, said further litigation “would damage the unity of our state.”

With Coleman’s defeat and the decision by Pennsylvania’s Arlen Specter to join the Democratic caucus, the only Jewish Republican left in Congress is Eric Cantor of Virginia, minority whip in the House of Representatives.

During the court battle over the Minnesota vote, Coleman has been serving as a paid consultant to the Republican Jewish Coalition. Franken is expected to be sworn in next week.

Westchester Jewish Conference

Westchester’s Jewish Community Relations Organization