Democrat Al Franken has been declared the winner in his Minnesota Senate race against incumbent Republican Norm Coleman. On Tuesday, Coleman conceded the race after the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch legal appeal seeking a recount. The ruling ends an eight-month legal battle and holds the potential to alter the political landscape in Washington. Seating Franken will give Democrats effective control of sixty seats, enough to theoretically overcome a Republican filibuster. After the court’s verdict, Franken addressed cheering supporters in Minnesota.

Al Franken: “I’m not going to Washington to be the sixtieth Democratic senator. I’m going to Washington to be the second senator from the state of Minnesota, and that’s how I’m going to do this job. I promise to do my best, to work hard, to stand on principle when I believe I must and, yes, to compromise when I believe that that is in the best interests of the people of Minnesota.”

Democratic leaders say Franken could be seated as early as Monday.