[PAR] [TLE] United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008 [SEP] The 2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 4, 2008.  After a legal battle lasting over eight months, Al Franken from the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in one of the closest elections in the history of the Senate.  Al Franken took his oath of office on July 7, 2009, more than half a year after the beginning of his term on January 3, 2009. [PAR] [TLE] Norm Coleman [SEP] Norman Bertram Coleman Jr., (born August 17, 1949) is an American lobbyist, lawyer and politician.  He served as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota from 2003 until 2009.  Before that, he was mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota from 1994 to 2002.  Previously a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Coleman became a Republican in 1996.  Coleman was elected to the Senate in 2002 and served one term, losing his 2008 reelection bid by 312 votes (out of over 3 million cast).
[PAR] [TLE] United States Senate election in Minnesota , 2008 [ SEP ] The 2008 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 4 , 2008 . After a legal battle lasting over eight months , Al Franken from the Democratic - Farmer - Labor Party ( DFL ) defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in one of the closest elections in the history of the Senate . Al Franken took his oath of office on July 7 , 2009 , more than half a year after the beginning of his term on January 3 , 2009 . [PAR] [TLE] Norm Coleman [ SEP ] Norman Bertram Coleman Jr. , ( born August 17 , 1949 ) is an American lobbyist , lawyer and politician . He served as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota from 2003 until 2009 . Before that , he was mayor of Saint Paul , Minnesota from 1994 to 2002 . Previously a member of the Democratic – Farmer – Labor Party ( DFL ) , Coleman became a Republican in 1996 . Coleman was elected to the Senate in 2002 and served one term , losing his 2008 reelection bid by 312 votes ( out of over 3 million cast ) .
Al Franken's 2008 United States Senate election opponent had previously been a member of which political party before becoming a Republican?
Al Franken 's 2008 United States Senate election opponent had previously been a member of which political party before becoming a Republican ?
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL)
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL)