Franken and Coleman Make Minnesota Nation’s Most Expensive Senate Race

By Alex Knott, CQ Staff

One of America’s most intriguing 2008 senatorial races has become the most expensive: Democratic challenger Al Franken and Republican incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman raised a combined $10 million so far during the 2008 cycle, according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission, making it the highest in total receipts for any active senatorial race.

The only Senate race with a bigger price tag was the $14 million Texas race. But yesterday the heavily self-financed Democratic challenger Mikal Carter Watts withdrew his bid to challenge incumbent Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn.

Led by individual donations, actor-comedian Franken has edged out Coleman for the second-straight quarter raising $1.9 million to Coleman’s $1.7 million. This narrow advantage has mirrored itself in total receipts for the 2008 cycle where Franken has received a total of $5.2 million to Coleman’s $4.9 million.

“I think that there is a lot interest on both sides,” said Cullen Sheehan, campaign manager for Coleman. “Because the senator has a giant target on his back by liberal groups . . . it’s going to be competitive.”

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