Democrat Al Franken has beaten Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in a recount to win the US Senate seat from Minnesota.
It is two months since the election on 4 November.
Franken? 57, is a well known satirist and a former writer and actor for the Saturday Night Live television show.
He has beaten Senator Coleman by 225 votes out of nearly 2.9 million cast. The outcome could still be contested in court.
Senator Coleman was seeking a second term. He previously had a thin lead on election night.
If the recount decision is confirmed, the Democrats will control at least 58 of the 100 Senate seats in the new Congress.
The Illinois seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama is still in limbo because of corruption charges against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
