Demuth and Klobuchar Clash in Final Week of Minnesota Gubernatorial Race
“Minnesotans know me,” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar stated on social media as the final stretch of the campaign began. “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.”
With just a week remaining until Election Day, the latest polling compiled by 270toWin and reported by The Center Square shows Klobuchar leading Republican state House Speaker Lisa Demuth 48.3% to 41.5% in Minnesota’s gubernatorial contest. That 6.8% gap places the Democratic nominee outside the margin of error for almost all polls, though the most recent poll in the race was released nearly two weeks ago on Oct. 14.
Voters are moving fast. Absentee ballots have been distributed statewide, and early in-person voting is already underway, with 12% of the state’s 3.91 million registered voters having already cast a ballot.
The Battle Over the Status Quo
Klobuchar stepped into the Democratic gubernatorial nomination after Gov. Tim Walz unexpectedly announced earlier this year that he would not run for reelection amid national scrutiny of fraud in state programs. A Republican has not won the governor’s office in Minnesota since Tim Pawlenty in 2006, but Demuth aims to break that Democratic streak.
Demuth has highlighted Klobuchar’s prior statements regarding Walz to appeal to voters.
“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.”
Klobuchar, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2006, has openly acknowledged that her administration would take a different approach. “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.”
“You expect leaders to deliver results, not excuses, and you are rightfully tired of this partisan theater and the punchlines,” Klobuchar added. “I want to transform this state.”
Legislative Races and Statewide Matchups Shape Minnesota Power
The gubernatorial showdown is far from the only contest drawing voter attention. Down the ballot, Minnesota residents are deciding several legislative races and statewide matchups that could shape the balance of power in state government.
Democrats currently hold the state Senate, while the state House remains split. Statewide, the secretary of state race pits Democratic incumbent Steve Simon against Republican Tad Jude, and the attorney general contest features Democratic incumbent Keith Ellison facing Republican Ronald Schutz.
