Franken to attend Obama inauguration

Al Franken
Al Franken will attend the inauguration of president-elect Barack Obama.
MPR Photo/Bill Alkofer

Al Franken is traveling to Washington, D.C., later this month - but not for the reason you might think.

A spokeswoman says Democrat Franken and his wife, Franni, will attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20.

Franken is awaiting a court challenge over whether he'll be able to claim a U.S. Senate seat. A state board certified that he won the election over Republican Norm Coleman by 225 votes. The pending challenge prevents Franken from getting sworn in as senator.

Spokeswoman Jess McIntosh says she doesn't know where the Frankens are getting their tickets - or whether they'll be sitting with U.S. senators at the historic event.

A Coleman spokesman says the Republican is looking forward to the inauguration but is not planning to attend.