Democrat Al Franken gained the lead over incumbent Republican US senator Norm Coleman in an election recount being conducted by the Minnesota Canvassing Board.
Before recessing until December 22nd, the panel put Mr Franken's lead at about 250 votes, the Minneapolis Star Tribunesaid.
The canvassing board is still reviewing about 5,500 ballots that were challenged by both campaigns after an initial recount.
The lead may change again as counting resumes and either side may challenge the result in court.
After the November 4th election, Mr Coleman led by just a few hundred votes out of 2.4 million cast, requiring a recount under Minnesota law.
A victory by Mr Franken would give Democrats control of 59 seats in the Senate, one short of the 60 needed to prevent Republicans from using procedural tactics to block legislation.
Democrats now have 58 votes, including those of two independents who support the Democratic majority, and the Illinois seat president-elect Barack Obama resigned from after winning the presidency.
Republicans control 41 seats.
Mr Coleman (59), is seeking a second term. Mr Franken (57), appeared on NBC’s Saturday Night Live and hosted a national radio program before returning to his home state to challenge Mr Coleman.
Bloomberg