Former President George H.W. Bush got involved in Minnesota’s still-contested Senate race, writing Sen. Norm Coleman (R) on Thursday to lend his support in his election challenge to Democrat Al Franken.
“I have been following the developments in Minnesota for some time and we are no strangers to recounts,” Bush wrote in a personal letter to Coleman. “Barbara and I appreciate your hard work and wish you the best of luck.”
“I know your many friends in the Senate look forward to seeing you return to continue your bipartisan efforts on behalf of Minnesota families,” the former president added, on stationary from his Houston office.
“The fact that President George H.W. Bush is following this contest and took the time to personally offer his support for Senator Coleman underscores how important this race is to folks across the country,” said Coleman campaign spokesman Luke Friedrich. “Senator Coleman is committed to making sure every vote is counted and all voters are treated equally, and is humbled by the widespread support he’s received from so many friends during this critical process.”
Coleman’s challenge to a 225-vote lead certified by a state board in favor of Franken entered its fourth day on Thursday, with lawyers for Coleman trying to methodically lay out their case for why a three-judge panel should reevaluate thousands of previously disqualified absentee ballots left uncounted.