'Perfect!': Birk, Jensen React To Poll Showing Walz Up Big

TWIN CITIES, MN — "PERFECT! Turning it up to 11."

That's how Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Matt Birk reacted to a new KSTP/Survey USA poll that shows him and his running mate for governor, Scott Jensen, down by 18 points.

The poll finds that Democrat Tim Walz leads Jensen by 51 percent to 33 percent. Walz leads Jensen in every part of the state except western Minnesota, according to the poll.

Walz is dominating among both men and women:

• Women, 58 percent to 30 percent
• Men: 46 percent to 36 percent.

In contrast to his running mate, Jensen's reaction was more subdued.

The Republican campaign for governor has been marred by controversial statements, including a comment from Jensen comparing COVID-19 lockdown measures to the Holocaust. Birk's anti-abortion "rape card" comment also drew criticism.

"If I hear any more of this Holocaust stuff, I'll never talk to you again," conservative newspaper columnist Joe Soucheray told Jensen last week in an interview. "That was utter embarrassing BS. I don't stand for it. I can't take it."

Soucheray then directed his focus to Birk, saying; "I've got news for you. Women don't intend to stay barefoot and pregnant."

Meanwhile, Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are running a relatively quiet campaign.

The analysts at the Cook Political Report say Minnesota's race for governor is "likely" to go to Democrats on Election Day.