The United States Senate race in Minnesota remains a toss-up. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Minnesota voters shows Republican incumbent Norm Coleman attracting 44% of the vote and challenger Al Franken earning 43%. Two weeks ago, it was Franken by two. A month ago, it was Coleman by three.
Franken’s support has stayed between 43% and 45% in five straight polls. Coleman’s support had been in the 46% to 50% range for five straight polls conducted from February through June. However, his support has been lower in a pair of July polls.
When leaners are included in the current poll, it’s Franken with a slight edge, 49% to 46%. Leaners are survey participants who initially don’t support either candidate but express a preference for one candidate during a follow-up question.
Earlier this month, the buzz around this race all focused on former Governor Jesse Ventura who very publicly flirted with the idea of making it a three-man race. Waiting until the very last moment—the night before the filing deadline--Ventura announced on the Larry King Show that he will not enter the campaign.
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.
This survey was conducted in partnership with Fox Television Stations Inc.
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| Toss-Up
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This telephone survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports July 22, 2008. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.
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Minnesota Trends: Coleman vs. Franken |
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|---|---|---|
|
Date |
Coleman |
Franken |
|
10/28/2008 |
43% |
39% |
|
37% |
41% |
|
|
37% |
43% |
|
|
48% |
47% |
|
|
45% |
45% |
|
|
44% |
43% |
|
|
42% |
44% |
|
|
48% |
45% |
|
|
47% |
45% |
|
|
50% |
43% |
|
|
48% |
46% |
|
|
46% |
49% |
|
|
Favorable Ratings For Senate Candidates in Minnesota |
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|---|---|---|
|
Coleman |
Franken |
|
|
Very Favorable |
24% |
18% |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
27% |
29% |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
26% |
13% |
|
Very Unfavorable |
22% |
38% |
|
Not Sure |
1% |
2% |
Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.
The Rasmussen Reports ElectionEdge™ Premium Service for Election 2008 offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a Presidential election.
Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.
