Minnesota’s 2008 U.S. Senate election produced a famously close contest between Al Franken and Norm Coleman, with Dean Barkley securing a notable share of the vote as the Independence Party candidate.
Official election totals
The totals below follow the final results published by the Minnesota Secretary of State, including absentee ballots counted during the election contest.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Franken | Democratic–Farmer–Labor | 1,212,629 | 41.99% |
| Norm Coleman | Republican | 1,212,317 | 41.98% |
| Dean Barkley | Independence | 437,505 | 15.15% |
| Charles Aldrich | Libertarian | 13,923 | 0.48% |
| James Niemackl | Constitution | 8,907 | 0.31% |
Vote shares at a glance
A recount and a 312-vote margin
The election-night figures were not the final word. Minnesota conducted a statewide recount and then a court contest over absentee ballots. The process ultimately placed Franken ahead of Coleman by 312 votes in the final numbers recorded by the Secretary of State.
During the process, the totals for the leading candidates changed at several stages. Readers comparing 2008 press reports with final tallies may therefore see different figures, especially for Franken and Coleman. Barkley’s final count is 437,505.
How to interpret Barkley’s result
Barkley did not win the Senate seat, but a 15.15% share is substantial for a non-major-party candidate. It demonstrates the campaign’s measurable statewide support without implying an electoral victory or a current political campaign. This archive offers the numbers as historical data rather than an endorsement of a candidate or party.
Research sources
Additional pages, official results and editorial context.