Sep 9, 2008 1:00 pm US/Central
Franken, Lord Faris Face Off In Tuesday Primary
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ―
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Lord Faris has relied on biting TV and radio ads that criticize Franken -- a former "Saturday Night Live" performer -- for having spent most of his adult life away from Minnesota.
Stephen Morton/Getty Images
After millions of dollars and 19 months pursuing a U.S. Senate seat, comedian Al Franken sought Tuesday to nail down the Democratic nomination in his childhood home of Minnesota.
The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member, author and radio show host came in as the clear favorite in a seven-way primary to determine Republican Sen. Norm Coleman's fall challenger. Coleman also had a primary opponent -- an expatriate living in Italy.
Franken's celebrity both helped and hurt him in the leadup to Tuesday. His coast-to-coast recognition enabled him to amass an impressive bankroll for a first-time candidate, but archives full of racy material provided ammunition to Republicans and his most visible Democratic rival, attorney Priscilla Lord Faris.
Lord Faris, part of a well-regarded family in state Democratic politics, criticized Franken for "angry and offensive public behavior" and said he'd be too easy a target for Coleman and his allies.
Franken had the party brass behind him after winning the Democratic endorsement in June. Despite attracting six Democratic opponents, Franken put his whole focus on Coleman.
Two Republicans battled in southern Minnesota for the chance to unseat Rep. Tim Walz, who rode a Democratic tidal wave into Congress in 2006. Dr. Brian Davis had the GOP endorsement, but couldn't take state Sen. Dick Day for granted.
Much of the election action involved seats in the Minnesota Legislature. Twenty-seven primaries were needed to whittle down the fields for state House seats and there was one state Senate vacancy that needed sorting out. The highlights:
-- In Anoka, six-term Rep. Jim Abeler attracted a fellow Republican challenger. Businessman Don Huizenga went after Abeler for supporting a transportation bill with several tax increases, which was enacted over Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto.
-- In Bloomington, the transportation veto override also loomed large in Republican Rep. Neil Peterson's race because of his support for the bill. He was trying to fend off consultant Jan Schneider.
-- Five Democrats were in the hunt for a Duluth-area seat being vacated by 16-term Rep. Mike Jaros. The primary winner's ticket was all but punched for St. Paul, judging by the easy victories Jaros routinely had.
-- State Rep. Mark Olson of Big Lake looked for redemption after being snubbed by the House GOP following his 2007 domestic assault conviction. Olson sought the Republican Party's nomination for state Senate, carrying the party endorsement into his primary against Alison Krueger, who had the backing of Senate leaders. Incumbent Sen. Betsy Wergin gave up the seat to accept a position on the Public Utilities Commission.
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Norm Coleman was born in New York City in 1949. Al Franken was born in New York City in 1951.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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