The Minnesota Senate race is unexpectedly up for grabs according to a new poll conducted for the campaign of Republican challenger Jason Lewis.
The survey, fielded Sunday through Tuesday, showed Lewis trailing incumbent Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, 43% to 41%, well inside the poll’s margin of error of 4.38 percentage points. In the same survey, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden narrowly led President Trump, 48% to 45%, pointing to why Biden decided to launch a television advertising campaign in Minnesota at the beginning of the week.
If the close contest between Lewis and Smith as presented in this poll is born out, Minnesota would represent a key offensive opportunity for Republicans in their battle to retain control of the Senate. The GOP is on defense in as many as seven states and is clinging to a three-seat Senate majority. Adding Minnesota to a small list of possible gains that includes Alabama and Michigan could be the key to holding the chamber.
Additional findings from the Lewis campaign’s poll, which surveyed 501 likely voters and was conducted by Harper Polling:
- Lewis led Smith among independent voters 40% to 35%.
- Trump and Biden are all tied up at 40% among independent voters.
- Democrats lead the generic congressional ballot by a slim 45% to 43%.
Trump came just short of winning Minnesota four years ago and is optimistic about flipping the state this November.
