Since last month, support for Democrat Ford Bell has jumped 7 points in a match-up with Republican Mark Kennedy. He now leads Kennedy 43% to 40%. In the Rasmussen Reports January poll, Kennedy led Bell 41% to 36%.

Democrat Amy Klobuchar also gained ground, but only a couple points. She now leads Kennedy 45% to 42%. Last month the two were neck-and-neck (see crosstabs).

Klobuchar does a little better than Bell among unaffiliated voters and moderates.

The race looked competitive even back in December, when Mark Dayton, the vulnerable Democratic incumbent, decided not to stand for reelection. But Kennedy was then 10 points ahead of Bell, and 7 points behind Klobuchar.

Kennedy has been at 41% or 42% in all three of our Minnesota election polls when matched against Klobuchar. Klobuchar has averaged 45% over the three polls.

Kennedy has averaged 42% in the three polls against Bell. Bell, had been at 35% and 36% in the two polls before this one, bringing his average to 38%. Next month's Minnesota survey will give an indication as to whether the gains for Bell are lasting or a temporary spike.

Minnesota voters look on Kennedy a little less kindly than they did last month: 47% view him favorably now, versus 53% then.

Klobuchar is viewed favorably by 56%, a slight dip. The more overtly liberal Bell—who has argued as two major themes of his campaign that U.S. troops should withdraw from Iraq by Christmas, and for a universal health care program—is viewed favorably by 35% of all voters. That's an 8-point jump, but still low compared to the other candidates. Bell has rejected calls to cede the field to Klobuchar.

Among Democrats, Bell is viewed favorably by 57%, Klobuchar by 78%. Most of the difference can be attributed to the greater number of Democrats still "not sure" what to think of Bell.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members