In the scramble to take over the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Mark Dayton, likely Republican nominee Representative Mark Kennedy is neck-and-neck with DFL county attorney Amy Klobuchar. (The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party or DFL is the state's equivalent of the Democratic Party.)

The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll shows Klobuchar at 43% and Kennedy at 42%. Kennedy leads DFL philanthropist and veterinarian Ford Bell by 41% to 36% (see crosstabs).

In our previous Minnesota survey, Klobuchar was ahead of Kennedy by 7 percentage points and Kennedy led Bell by 10.

DFL contender Patty Wetterling, who had been struggling to raise money, recently dropped out of the competition. Her departure gives a boost to DFL front-runner Klobuchar, whom she endorsed.

Kennedy is viewed favorably by 53% of likely voters. Klobuchar is viewed favorably by 59%. Bell, less well-known, is viewed favorably by only 27%; many don't know what to think of him.

Just 45% of Minnesotan voters approve of the job George Bush is doing as President. That's below his national Job Approval rating.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of the state's voters disapprove of the President's performance, including 40% who strongly disapprove. Whether President Bush's relative unpopularity here will hamper the progress of the Republican nominee is an open question.

The election for Minnesota governor also looks to be competitive at this point.

Fifty-four percent (54%) believe Judge Samuel Alito should be confirmed to the Supreme Court. Forty-nine percent (49%) have a favorable opinion of the judge (see results for other states).

Despite recent controversy over immigration issues, voters tend to regard health care and economic health as higher on the list of priorities affecting how they might vote.

Crosstabs and other data from this survey is available to Premium Members.