Minnesota's Senate Race Heats Up

October 27, 2008 2:28 p.m. EST

St. Paul, MN (AHN) - The most expensive Congressional race, the battle for the Senate between Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate Al Franken and Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), is on its final stretch this week.

Coleman enters the final week trailing in a race that was once considered safely Republican. His once seemingly insurmountable lead, 22 points, is now in the form of a six-point deficit in the latest statewide survey by Big10 Battleground.

The first-term senator's newly minted "Hope Express" had former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani campaigning in Mankato, Owatonna and Rochester last week. The former mayor also raised money for Coleman during Minnesota GOP's annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner.

Franken, not to be outdone, had Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) stumping for him in at the University of Minnesota last week. "I know Al and I know he'll make you proud," the former first lady had said.

The Democratic candidate, a former 'Saturday Night Live' writer, has been dubbed by Coleman as "Angry Al," and has been beleaguered by criticisms about old racy articles and skits he penned.

Giuliani issued a succinct warning to voters about Franken last week. "It's not a game, it's not entertainment, it's not a joke...Government is for real," he said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

While the the two candidates' bickering and TV ads have been the focus of the race, independent candidate Dean Barkley has also convinced a considerable number of voters. Barkley, who served briefly in the U.S. Senate in 2002 after the death of former Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellston, has a 17-point average rating in the race, according to Real Clear Politics.

All the three candidates' efforts have raised a total of nearly $33 million, making their race for the Senate the most expensive Congressional contest this year, the Center for Responsive Politics said. Coleman has raised the most, $18.3 million, but Franken is not far behind with $17 million. Barkley has raised $78, 516.

Coleman will begin a two-day swing on Tuesday with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. On Tuesday, they will make stops in Anoka, Arden Hills, Farmington, Hugo, Ham Lake, and Otsego. They visit Alexandria, Glenwood, Morris, St. Cloud and Willmar

College Democrats in Bemidji State University will host a rock concert for Franken Monday night. The Democrat campaigns with NARAL Pro-choice America President Nancy Keenan and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) in St. Paul on Tuesday.

Coleman and Franken will hold their last debate, together with Barkley, before election day on Nov. 2