Tension mounts in tight races

Minnesota election races, from governor and U.S. Senate on down to legislative contests, are awhirl in a final round of door-knocking, campaigning, advertising and hoping that will mark the last frenzied week before Election Day.

Presidential hopeful and rising Democratic star Barack Obama stoked excitement at a rally Monday evening for U.S. Senate candidate Amy Klobuchar, while Gov. Tim Pawlenty continued a "Jobs and Economy" tour rivaling Mike Hatch's "Middle Class Tour."

These state contests have been nationalized like few others in recent years, with voters' sentiments centered on the war and the economy.

From boots fresh off Iraqi soil preparing for yet another deployment to middle-class workers with soaring medical co-pays, from those jittery over North Korean nukes to fearful homeowners who know they pulled too much equity out of homes in a market gone soft, anxiety is everywhere.

The release valve for all the tension will come in seven days, when voters get to blow off steam and send a message that not only will determine these election outcomes, but also will help shape the presidential race for 2008.

And the coming days will look a little like a dress rehearsal for the 2008.

In addition to the visit by Obama, D-Ill., other top-shelf presidential hopefuls will make appearances in Minnesota. Sen. John McCain will fly around the state with Pawlenty on Wednesday and Sen. John Kerry will stump for Tim Walz, the DFLer now threatening what was once thought to be a safe seat for Republican Rep. Gil Gutknecht in the First District. Former Vice President Al Gore will headline a rally for Klobuchar on Thursday.

Missing from the celeb list is President Bush, who is sticking to friendlier territory in Georgia and Texas.

At stake in Minnesota is the race for retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton's seat, a Republican governor fighting for reelection against the Democratic attorney general, and two red-hot congressional races that have drawn national attention and are widely viewed as bellwethers for control of the U.S. House.

One level down, fierce contests over control of the DFL-led Minnesota Senate and the bare majority in the GOP-controlled House are being fought in 201 legislative districts across the state.

Behind the scenes, Republicans and Democrats are investing huge resources in voter turnout, with each side counting on sophisticated micro-targeting efforts to produce the 1.5 to 3 percentage point edge that could win close races.

election 2006 the main events

GOVERNOR

Candidates:

Tim Pawlenty, GOP

Mike Hatch, DFL

Peter Hutchinson, IP

The race so far: The incumbent governor and DFL attorney general have slugged it out for months but remained essentially dead even, while Hutchinson has never risen above single digits. Now Pawlenty, slipping slightly behind Hatch in the most recent poll, will spend the next week making the case that he has done more than not raise statewide taxes and would spend a second term "getting education right." Hatch, capitalizing on his reputation for taking on HMOs, will push health care, higher ed and lower property taxes as his key issues.

Recent poll: Hatch 45 percent, Pawlenty 39 percent, Hutchinson 9, U of M poll.

Next faceoff: Friday, 7 p.m., Almanac, TPT, Channel 2.

U.S. SENATE

Candidates:

Amy Klobuchar, DFL

Mark Kennedy, GOP

Robert Fitzgerald, IP

The race so far: Klobuchar continues to hold a double-digit lead over Kennedy, who has struggled in fundraising and enters the last week with less than half the cash-on-hand of his competitor. In an effort to move his numbers, Kennedy has gained some attention for taking on the Republicans' perceived top vulnerability -- the unpopular Iraq war -- and attempting to turn it to his advantage. His message? Mistakes were made but the U.S. goal needs to be victory. Klobuchar maintains that the country is mired in civil war and that U.S. policy needs a change of direction.

Recent poll: Klobuchar 55 percent, Kennedy 34 percent, Fitzgerald 3 percent, Minnesota Poll.

Next faceoff: Thursday, 7 p.m., Rochester, Minnesota News Network.

SIXTH DISTRICT

Candidates:

Michele Bachmann, GOP

Patty Wetterling, DFL

John Binkowski, IP

The race so far: In a contest that has become a slugfest, Bachmann and Wetterling have attacked each other without pause on wall-to-wall TV ads generously funded by national parties. Bachmann has tried to tarnish Wetterling's reputation as a child advocate by tagging her as "just another liberal politician," and "too extreme," while Wetterling has made a counterintuitive move that positions hard-line conservative Bachmann as soft on crime and a tax-raiser.

Recent poll: Bachmann, 49 percent, Wetterling 43 percent, Survey USA.

Next faceoff: Wednesday, 7 p.m., Andover High School, MPR.

FIRST DISTRICT

Candidates:

Gil Gutknecht, GOP

Tim Walz, DFL

The race so far: Republicans hadn't counted on having to defend the seat of a 10-year House veteran. Then came Army Reserve veteran Walz, part of a national "Fighting Dems" cadre of ex-military Democrats in mostly Red districts. Walz, who advocates a change of course in Iraq, has steadily gained momentum, money and national prominence, forcing Gutknecht into an unexpected ad war.

Recent poll: Gutknecht, 48 percent, Walz, 47 percent, RT Strategy.

Patricia Lopez • 651-222-1288 • plopez@startribune.com