In a vote so close that a recount is guaranteed, GOP Senator Norm Coleman has beaten Democratic challenger Al Franken in the race to represent Minnesota in Washington.
With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, fewer than 800 votes -- out of almost 2.9 million cast -- separated the candidates.
The 57 year-old Franken benefited from throngs of first-time Democratic voters who turned out to vote for Barack Obama.