Minnesota Governor's Race Tightening

The latest Zogby Poll (courtesy of MNPublius August 28, 2006) shows Mike Hatch (D) and Tim Pawlenty (R) in a more-or-less tie for the Governor's seat in the State of Minnesota. With a margin of error at 3.9 percentage points, Hatch is on top with 43.1% and Pawlenty is close behind at 40.6%. Pawlenty had previously enjoyed a healthy lead with a 56% favorable rating and 42% unfavorable, according to SurveyUSA, but the steady climb of Attorney General Mike Hatch has got to be making Republicans nervous.

In a Wall Street Journal matchup with Senator Becky Lourey (D), Pawlenty is ahead 43.3% to 38.1% which is also considerably closer than some expected.

Minnesota being one of many battleground states, this race is one to watch.

Act Blue!

Comments: 12

Diana Raabe Aug 28, 2006, 5:54pm EDT

Sorry, yes - Pawlenty is the incumbent. He took office after The Great Jesse Ventura Experiment.

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mark l. Aug 29, 2006, 6:06pm EDT

I think that Hatch's biggest problem will be himself. He is so mean-spirited and comes off as so unfriendly that it'll be hard to fake it. Judi Dutcher was a good choice to soften his image, but it may not be enough. When people start to pay attention to this race, Hatch will have to do a lot to overcome Pawlenty's next-door-neighbor wholesomeness. Hatch is at 43% because he's been around forever. The more he is seen and heard, the tighter this race will get. While his politics are right on, there is something very mean about him.

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Diana Raabe Aug 29, 2006, 7:28pm EDT

Pawlenty and Hatch do have very different styles. That's not the only thing that makes this race interesting, though. Not only is there an Independent on the ballot (at least for the primary), but Senator Becky Lourey (D) has a healthy following and could end up surprising some people, especially if the Pawlenty camp - or the RNC to be more accurate - gets ugly about attacking Mike Hatch. Similarly, if Hatch's campaign becomes negative enough to turn voters off, Lourey may pull ahead.

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Beryl Singleton Bissell Aug 30, 2006, 11:16pm EDT

Nothing like a good race to shake the status quo. Lord, I hope it doesn't become more of the nasty politics we've seen pulled so often by one party or the other. To run for office nowadays seems to require either the heroism of the saintly patriot, or the greed of the power-hungry.

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Rich Sadowsky Sep 1, 2006, 3:00pm EDT

May your state turn PURE BLUE! Go Dems!

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D Q. Sep 3, 2006, 12:00am EDT

I wonder if the staduim issue will become a focus point of their campaigns. A lot of people were annoyed there was no way for the voters to have a say in having to pay higher taxes to fund it.

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guy arneson Sep 4, 2006, 8:27pm EDT

Pawlenty's heart is about the size of a mustard seed!
He has no business in politics.

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Auntie Smedley Sep 4, 2006, 8:52pm EDT

That's exactly why he is in politics, Guy.

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Diana Raabe Sep 5, 2006, 9:14am EDT

Paul Wellstone had a real heart and that's why he chose politics. It can work either way.

As far as the stadium issue goes, I highly doubt that in these times of poverty, war, lack of health care and increasing education costs that smart voters will cast their vote based on something like the stadium issue.

Those who worked to get past the stadium issue (which would never have gone away) and on to more important issues are the kinds of politicans we need.

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Bernie W. Sep 8, 2006, 12:24pm EDT

I actually hope Pawlenty doesn't get the R endorsement.

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Minnesota Governor's Race Tightening

Comments: 12

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