A pair of new polls show John McCain and Barack Obama locked in an extremely tight contest in Minnesota. A Quinnipiac University Polling Institute survey has Obama garnering support from 47 percent of likely voters, while McCain is backed by 45 percent. The American Research Group finds similar results, with Obama at 48 percent, one point clear of McCain. The Democrat’s lead in both polls is statistically insignificant. A Rasmussen Reports survey released yesterday showed Obama with an eight-point edge.

Quinnipiac also took a look at the U.S. Senate race. Norm Coleman garnered support from 49 percent of respondents, while 42 percent backed Al Franken. Independence Party candidate Dean Barkley, despite registering double-digit support in a pair of recent polls, wasn’t included in the Quinnipiac poll.

In U.S. House races, Rep. Tim Walz holds a commanding 50-32 lead over Republican Brian Davis, according to the challenger’s own polling figures. Meanwhile beltway pundit Stu Rothenberg has released his latest assessment of competitive House races. He continues to view Minnesota’s Third Congressional District, where Democrat Ashwin Madia and Republican Erik Paulsen are battling to replace retiring Rep. Jim Ramstad, as a straight toss-up. Incumbent Reps. Walz and Michele Bachmann are deemed favored to retain their posts. Conspicuously missing from the rankings is Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, where Democrat Steve Sarvi is trying to unseat three-term Rep. John Kline.