Mark Dayton

Mark Dayton

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton comes closest to out-polling Gov. Tim Pawlenty in a theoretical match-up in the 2010 governor’s contest, according to a new SurveyUSA poll commissioned by KSTP (Channel 5).  The two-term Republican incumbent defeats Dayton by a 47-43 margin.

The KSTP phone survey of 551 registered voters also looked at potential match-ups with eight other DFL contenders. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak had the next strongest showing, losing by a 47-42 percent margin. His counterpart in St. Paul, Chris Coleman, was next, trailing Pawlenty by 11 percentage points.

Bringing up the rear were Rep. Paul Thissen (51-32) and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (51-34). The other names polled: former state Rep. Matt Entenza (51-37), Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner (50-36), and state Sens. Tom Bakk (50-34) and John Marty (51-34).

Of course at this point, 18 months out from election day, only political junkies are thinking about the 2010 contest. The KSTP poll is likely a better gauge of name recognition than a meaningful snapshot of where the electorate stands.