Some great news today out of Minnesota courtesy of the latest NBC/Marist poll:
In the race to fill the remainder of former Sen. Al Franken’s term after his resignation amid sexual harassment complaints, appointed Democrat Tina Smith leads Republican Karin Housley among likely voters, 54 percent to 38 percent.
In the governors’ race between Democrat Tim Walz and Republican Jeff Johnson, Walz leads 55 percent to 38 percent in a head-to-head contest among likely voters.
When Libertarian Josh Welter is added to the gubernatorial ballot, Walz still leads 51 percent to 36 percent for Johnson, with Welter capturing six percent support.
And in Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s reelection race, which has not been considered competitive this cycle, Klobuchar is besting GOP opponent Jim Newberger by 30 percentage points, 63 percent to 33 percent, in a head-to-head matchup.
Democratic candidates in all three races also enjoy stronger favorability ratings than their GOP counterparts.
Smith’s favorability with likely voters stands at 51 percent favorable and 26 percent unfavorable, while just 32 percent have a favorable opinion of Housley, 25 percent have a negative one and 42 percent have not heard of her.
For Walz, who has served as a Democratic member of the House in a relatively rural district since 2006, 56 percent of likely voters have a favorable impression of him, while just 24 percent have an unfavorable one. Republican Jeff Johnson, on the other hand, is underwater, with 38 percent giving him a thumbs up and 41 percent giving him a thumbs down.
But it’s Klobuchar, who has occasionally been mentioned as a future presidential candidate, who enjoys the most strikingly high popularity in Minnesota. Nearly two-thirds of Minnesota likely voters —64 percent — have a favorable view of Klobuchar, including 98 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of independents and 20 percent of Republicans.
Half of Minnesotan likely voters haven't heard enough about Newberger to have an opinion of him.
Let's keep up the momentum and have the Blue Wave hit Minnesota hard. Click below to donate and get involved Smith, Klobuchar, Walz and their fellow Minnesota Democrats campaigns:
Tina Smith
Amy Klobuchar
Tim Walz
Dan Feehan
Angie Craig
Dean Phillips
Ilhan Omar
Joe Radinovich