WASHINGTON — Democratic U.S. Sen. Al Franken has double-digit leads over a cast of potential 2014 opponents, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey.
Fifty-one percent of respondents approve of Franken's work as senator, according to the poll. He leads every potential GOP challenger by at least 10 points, according to survey of 712 Minnesotans from PPP, a Democratic polling firm
According to PPP, Franken leads:
- Businessman Mike McFadden and Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek by 15 points;
- State Sen. Julie Rosen by 16 points;
- And State Sen. Julianne Ortman and talk show host Jason Lewis by 17 points.
Of the group, McFadden seems closest to a Senate run (the others are mostly rumored candidates, though Lewis has said he's considering mounting a challenge). If U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann were to challenge Franken, he leads by 17 points.
Franken's approval rating has hovered around 50 percent for the past several months. No Republican has yet decided to challenge him next fall, though several high-profile would-be candidates, including Reps. John Kline and Erik Paulsen, have declined runs.
PPP's full results are here.
Devin Henry can be reached at dhenry@minnpost.com.