Wednesday, July 23, 2008

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The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Minnesota voters shows Democrat Al Franken attracting 44% of the vote and incumbent Republican Norm Coleman earning 42%. A month ago, it was Coleman 48% and Franken 45%.

Franken’s support has stayed between 43% and 45% in four straight polls. The current poll is by far the lowest level of support earned by the incumbent, suggesting that the rumblings of a possible Ventura campaign raised new possibilities for voters to consider. However, on Monday night, Ventura announced that he will not enter the campaign.

In a two-way race, Coleman earns 90% of the Republican vote, Franken gets 76% of Democrats, and the candidates split the unaffiliated vote. A month ago, Coleman was supported by 20% of Democrats. Now, that figure is down to 10%.

Coleman is viewed favorably by 49% of Minnesota voters, unfavorably by 47%. For Franken, the numbers are 49% favorable and 46% unfavorable.

Coleman was first elected to the Senate six years ago, with just under 50% of the vote. He came in second to Ventura in a three-way race for governor in 1998.

If Ventura had entered the race, he would have started with 22% support from Minnesota voters. Coleman earned 36% of the vote in a three-way race and Franken attracted 34%.

Ventura earns positive reviews from just 33% of the state’s voters and unfavorable assessments from 64%.

This survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations Inc.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available to Premium Members only.