Minnesota Poll: Sen. Tina Smith leads Jason Lewis in U.S. Senate race [View all]

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith holds a lead over Republican challenger Jason Lewis in her bid for a full six-year term in the U.S. Senate, according to a new Star Tribune/MPR News/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll.

With Election Day less than six weeks away, Minnesota voters said they prefer Smith by an eight-point margin, 49% to 41%. But 10% of voters remain undecided.

Smith’s current lead appears to be bolstered by strong support in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, where nearly seven in 10 voters back her bid. But she trails Lewis, a former congressman and radio personality, by six percentage points in the outer Twin Cities suburbs, home to politically decisive swing districts. She also trails by more than 20 percentage points in Northern Minnesota.

The two candidates are running neck-and-neck in southern Minnesota, where Lewis leads 46% to 44%. The rivals have tangled frequently over agricultural issues, including farm subsidies, as both vie for the vote in farm country.

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Like many leading Democrats, Smith has centered her campaign on issues such as controlling the coronavirus crisis and expanding health care access. She recently appeared alongside Democratic nominee Joe Biden at an event promoting labor and infrastructure in Duluth. Lewis has campaigned as an ardent Trump supporter, echoing the president’s messages on law and order.

Smith’s lead over Lewis closely resembles the Minnesota Poll results showing Biden ahead of Trump 48% to 42%, though Smith narrowly outperformed Biden in her matchup against Lewis.

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https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-poll-tina-smith-leads-jason-lewis-in-senate-race/572541051/