Public Policy Poll Gives Dayton High Approval Marks

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- A new poll finds Gov. Mark Dayton leading the list of possible Republicans who may challenge him in 2014.

Public Policy Polling finds that 53 percent of Minnesota voters approve of the job Dayton is doing. It also shows that Norm Coleman is the favorite among Republicans to challenge Dayton, although a hypothetical head-to-head race would have Coleman behind by 13 points.

"The Governor probably takes this as a good sign," said University of Minnesota Political Scientist Larry Jacobs.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Steve Murphy Reports

But Jacobs notes that the survey of 1,065 voters was taken before this week's release of Dayton's budget proposal, with its call for new revenue sources, such as a broader sales tax.

"I think the budget battle and the Governor's tax proposals are very much up in the air," added Jacobs.

The only Republican with better numbers than Coleman was Tim Pawlenty, who's unlikely to seek his old job.