Gov. Pawlenty: 'Credible Evidence' Of Fraud In 2008 Coleman-Franken Race

Allegations of fraud in the 2008 Senate race between Al Franken (D) and Norm Coleman (R) are “credible,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) said Wednesday.

Pawlenty seemed to back allegations leveled by a conservative group in Minnesota that a sizable number of convicted felons, who were ineligible to vote, cast ballots in the extremely close Senate election, possibly tipping the race to Franken, who was sworn in last year as senator.

“There’s a serious allegation to that effect and if it turns out to be true, it’s quite possible,” Pawlenty said during an appearance on Fox News when asked if felons might have handed Franken victory.

“There’s a group out here in Minnesota that’s investigated that,” added the two-term governor and potential 2012 presidential candidate. “They seem to have found credible evidence that many felons who are not supposed to be voting actually voted in the Franken-Coleman election.”

The contest between Franken and Coleman, the incumbent senator, dragged on for months during hand recounts and in court contests and litigation before Franken was certified as winner by 312 votes.

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