(CNN) -- The two major candidates in Georgia's hotly contested Senate race both said Wednesday they are launching runoff campaigns as votes continued to be counted and neither man held a majority.


Republican incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss was just short of avoiding a runoff in Georgia.

1 of 3 At midday, Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss led Democratic challenger Jim Martin, with Chambliss having 1,838,891 votes or 49.9 percent to Martin's 1,721,087 or 46.7 percent. Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley was credited with 3.4 percent of the vote.

"We're in a runoff," Martin said at a news conference. "This race has just begun."

Chambliss also called a news conference to declare, "We've already hit the ground. We're getting ready for the runoff."

A spokesman for the Georgia secretary of state's office said it will likely be next week before election results are finalized and certified statewide. A runoff would be held in December.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota secretary of state's office said Wednesday a recount will probably be held in that state's neck-and-neck U.S. Senate race.

"From what it looks like, that's where it's headed," said John Aiken, the secretary of state's director of communications.


With all of the precincts reporting, the unofficial figures show the Republican incumbent, Sen. Norm Coleman, leading the Democratic challenger, comedian Al Franken, by about 700 votes out of 2.4 million cast.

Recounts are triggered in Minnesota when the winning margin is less than half of 1 percent. Watch Franken look toward what's next »

"One-half of 1 percent is 15,000 votes," Aiken said. "We are looking at a couple hundred here."

Dean Barkley, an Independence Party candidate, received more than 15 percent of the vote.

The state canvassing board will meet on November 18 to determine whether Coleman's narrow lead requires a recount. If so, the recount would start the next day.

Minnesota uses paper ballots. Hand-counting them could take a week or two, Aiken said.

Regardless of the outcomes in Georgia and Minnesota, Democrats have gained a decisive majority in the U.S. Senate. But their hopes are fading for a filibuster-proof 60 seats.

Georgia should be called for the Republican candidate. Don't know why it hasn't yet.

I don't know about herself (I doubt that's possible), but if Stevens were to resign, she can appoint someone to replace him.

Which is what mattered to the Republicans who decided to back Stevens (well, more like their party), instead of staying home or voting Democrat.

Lets see though...


If she becomes a Senator, she would win easily and for a long long time, for the rest of her life if she wants, as she is in Conservative Alaska. She would be a huge star as there are very few people like her in Senate.

She could stay on as Governor, but I believe there are term limits in the US for being Governor (Canada there are no limits)
Anyways, she is then Queen of Alaska and she is GOD there.

Georgia should be called for the Republican candidate. Don't know why it hasn't yet.

Minnesota is HAIR thin. Look at those numbers...A difference of less than 400 votes!!

I'd recount Alaska. I can't believe the incumbent is leading though after all that happened.

They're still counting in Oregon.

Georgia should be called for the Republican candidate. Don't know why it hasn't yet.

Well, Chambliss has a run off election, not the same thing as a recount. All the Obama activists looking for a new project now have something to contribute to and work for!

Well, Chambliss has a run off election, not the same thing as a recount. All the Obama activists looking for a new project now have something to contribute to and work for!

538 thinks Franken is the slight favorite to win the recount.