Al Franken's 2008 United States Senate election opponent had previously been a member of which political party before becoming a Republican?
Norm Coleman 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).
Allen West (politician) Allen Bernard West (born February 7, 1961) is an American political commentator, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, West represented Florida 's 22 congressional district in the House from 2011 to 2013.