Senator-elect Al Franken on Tuesday was declared by the Minnesota's highest court to be the winner of the state's senatorial race last November, accepting the office after former Sen. Norm Coleman conceded defeat.

Frannie (his wife) and I are so thrilled that we can finally celebrate this victory and I am so excited to finally be able to get to work for the people of Minnesota, Franken said at a press conference today, according to an Associated Press video.

We have a lot of work to do in Washington, but that's why I signed up for the job in the first placel, he added.

Franken gave the speech after receiving a congratulatory call from Coleman following the court's decision, which upheld a trial court's ruling in April.

Coleman had contested an election vote recount that gave Franken Franken the win by 312 votes with 2.4 billion ballots cast.

I just had conversation with Al Franken congratulating him on his victory, Coleman said during a press conference today outside his home in St. Paul, according to Associated Press video.

Coleman chose not to pursue an appeal to a federal court.

We have reached the point where further litigation damages the unity of our state, Coleman said.

I conducted the legal challenge I wanted. I have always believed you do the best you can and you leave the results to a higher authority. I'm at peace with that, he added.

The court issued a 32-page opinion released on its website entering into the details of the election and its recount, affirming the earlier decision.

We affirm the decision of the trial court that Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled ... to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota, the Court stated in its opinion.

See selected highlights Franken's acceptance speech, Coleman's concession and the court's ruling below.