Klobuchar holds polling lead in final week of Minnesota governor race

The most-recent poll in the race was released nearly two weeks ago on Oct. 14.

With just a week to go to Election Day, both candidates are busy giving their finals pitches to Minnesota voters.

“Minnesotans know me,” Klobuchar said on social media today. “I’ll work my heart out to move us forward because I know there’s so much good ahead for Minnesota. I’m asking for your vote, and I’d be honored to have your support.”

Klobuchar, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2006, stepped in as the Democratic gubernatorial nominee after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz unexpectedly announced earlier this year that he would not run for reelection. The announcement came amid national scrutiny of fraud in state programs.

Demuth has campaigned on a promise of “real change,” while Klobuchar has acknowledged that her administration would take a different approach from Walz’.

“I obviously am going to do things differently than Gov. Walz,” Klobuchar said in January when she first announced her run “We have different backgrounds. We’re going to have some different focuses.”

She has also promised to end the “status quo.”

“You expect leaders to deliver results, not excuses, and you are rightfully tired of this partisan theater and the punchlines,” Klobuchar said. “I want to transform this state.”

A Republican has not won Minnesota’s gubernatorial election since Tim Pawlenty in 2006, but Demuth hopes to break that Democratic streak.

She has called for a “fresh start for Minnesota.”

“Amy Klobuchar thinks Tim Walz is an ‘incredible governor’ that ‘delivers for Minnesota,’” Demuth said on social media. “If you want more of Tim Walz and the status quo, Amy Klobuchar has a plan for that. If you want a fresh start for Minnesota, I’d welcome your support.”

Down the ballot, Minnesota voters will also decide several key legislative races and statewide contests that could shape the balance of power in state government.

Those races include the secretary of state race, where Democratic incumbent Steve Simon faces Republican Tad Jude, and the attorney general race, where Democratic incumbent Keith Ellison faces Republican Ronald Schutz.

Currently, Democrats also hold the state Senate, while the state House is split.

Absentee ballots have been distributed statewide, and early in-person voting is already underway. So far, 12% of the state’s 3.91 million registered voters have cast an early ballot.